LINK Wildlife Forum Species Champions Marsh Fritillary DESCRIPTION The wings of this beautiful butterfly are more brightly patterned than those of other fritillaries, with more heavily marked races being found in Scotland and Ireland. The wingspan is around 42-48mm. The caterpillars spin conspicuous webs on their food plant, Devil's-bit Scabious which can easily be found in late summer. The adults fly in June and nectar on many flowers, including orchids. The Marsh Fritillary is threatened across Europe and is the object of international conservation effort. In Scotland, it is now confined to THREATS Argyll, Bute and a couple of places in Declining primarily due to the loss of Lochaber on damp, neutral, flower-rich unimproved grassland, and under and grassland. It can also be found sometimes on overgrazing. coastal heath, the edges of peatlands, and in woodland clearings. ACTION REQUIRED Colonies of the Marsh Fritillary fluctuate greatly 1. Sign up as a Butterfly Conservation in size and it seems to require extensive volunteer to help survey and monitor habitats or habitat networks for its long term this stunning insect at http://butterfly- survival. conservation.org/91/volunteer.html 2. Support policies that protect High Nature The Marsh Fritillary is a UK BAP Priority Species Value farmland. and is on the Scottish Biodiversity List. 3. Support better funding for ‘Rural Priorities’ within the SRDP. DISTRIBUTION MAP FURTHER READING http://butterfly-conservation.org/679-862/marsh- fritillary.html MSP SPECIES CHAMPION Jamie McGrigor MSP Member for: Highlands and Islands Party: Scottish Conversative and Unionist Party [email protected] www.butterfly-conservation.org .