Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Boloria selene
National Status
Mainly confined to western England and Wales, range contracting. Widespread and common in Scotland. Population trend 10 years to 2016 +3%; since 1976 -58%
West Midlands Status
Limited number of colonies with highest numbers in Shropshire, overall range contracting.
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was recorded in 15 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Found in a variety of habitats: coppice and ride-edges in ancient woodlands in Wyre; bracken and grass mosaics; and wet meadows and moorlands.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplants are Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris).
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Late May to mid-July. Occasionally a second generation in early August, regularly in southern England, but none since 1995 in the West Midlands.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 25 May | Horton, Richard | 4 July | Moore, Chris |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Cannock Chase (Staffordshire), South Shropshire Hills, Llanymynech (Shropshire-Welsh border), Wyre Forest (Worcestershire).