Marbled Fritillary - Brenthis daphne
Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Lepidoptera - Family: Nymphalidae
The Marbled Fritillary has a wingspan of 3.0 to 4.4cm, and when seen from the top it could easily be confused with the Twin-spot Fritillary Brenthis hecate; however, the twin row of spots include irregular rather than rounded spots, and there is a distinctive marbling on the underwings - see picture below.
Distribution
In Western Europe this species is found in northern Spain, southern France and parts of Germany. The range of the Marbled Fritillary butterfly extends eastwards into Asia.
Habitat
This species is often found in brambly scrubland and on woodland edges.
Lifecycle
The primary larval foodplants of the Marbled Fritillary are members of the Rose family, particularly Bramblet Rubus fruticosus, Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and Dropwort Filipendula vulgaris. Varying with location, the single brood of adults can be seen in flight from late May through to early August. These butterflies take nectar from brambles, thistles and a wide range of other wildflowers.
Acknowledgements
This page includes pictures kindly contributed Betty and Tony Rackham.
Studying butterflies and moths...
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