The Glanville Fritillary is named after a 17th century lepidopterist who discovered it in Lincolnshire in the UK. Now however, it is only found on the Isle of Wight and one or two other locations in southern England although it is widespread in Europe, where this sun-loving species is fond of nectaring in warm meadows.  It can be separated from similar species by the presence of a row of spots along the submargin of the hindwing.

Distribution: Most of Europe except southern Iberia, most of Britain, Ireland, northern Fennoscandia and the Mediterranean islands.

Flight Period: Early May-early August, with a second brood in late summer in parts of western Europe.

Habitat: A wide variety of flowery and grassy areas including meadows, brownfield land, field margins, woodland clearings and coastal heath up to 2000m.

Foodplants: Plantains (Plantago), occasionally knapweeds (Centaurea).

Nectar Sources: Thymes (Thymus), dandelions (Taracaxum), hawkweeds (Hieracium), Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), mayweeds (Matricaria), scabiouses (Knautia) and others.

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