Marsh Fritillary Butterfly | Euphydryas aurinia PUPAE

Euphydryas aurinia, commonly known as the Marsh Fritillary, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Found across Europe and parts of Asia, this species inhabits damp grasslands, marshy meadows, and heathlands where its larval food plants, primarily devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), are abundant.

The marsh fritillary is notable for its vibrant and intricate wing patterns. The upper side of its wings features a mosaic of orange, yellow, and black markings, with the hindwings often having a delicate checkerboard-like appearance. Its wingspan ranges from 3.5 to 5cm, making it a fairly small butterfly.

Females lay clusters of eggs on the underside of host plant leaves. The larvae are black with spiny bodies and live communally in silken webs during their early stages. After overwintering, they pupate in spring, emerging as adults in late spring or early summer. Adults have a short flight period, often lasting only a few weeks, during which they feed on nectar and seek mates.

Euphydryas aurinia is considered endangered in many areas due to habitat loss, agricultural intensification, and changes in land management. Conservation efforts focus on preserving traditional grazing practices and protecting its habitats to ensure the survival of this iconic species. British populations are largely restricted to areas of Western Scotland.

Host plants - Scabious (various species), Honeysuckle (Lonicera) leaves.

Difficulty - Easy (1/10)

Conditions - Room temperature or outdoors.

Lifecycle - Can produce multiple broods in captivity; larvae hibernate in late summer and resume feeding the following spring.