(Linnaeus, 1758)
Scarce Fritillary
Description:
The Scarce Fritillary occurs in clearings, where young ash trees are growing in open, mixed woodland. The eggs are laid in one batch on a leaf of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) or Aspen (Populus tremula), preferably at a height of 4 to 10 m. The butterfly generally has a slow, gliding flight but can speed up when necessary.
The caterpillars build a nest of silk and leaves, and feed together at first, while still quite small. They go into hibernation, remaining in the nest, which usually falls to the ground onto the woodland floor. In spring, they leave the nest and separate, spreading out in search of food. They use a variety of larval food plants at this stage, including honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), plantains (Plantago spp.), or privets (Ligustrum spp.). They pupate in the litter layer.
It has one generation a year although some of the caterpillars hibernate a second time before pupating.
Habitat:
Mixed woodland
Mesophile grasslands
Humid grasslands
Deciduous forests
Similar species:
Euphydryas intermedia
Euphydryas cynthia