Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

National Status: Mainly confined to western England and Wales, range contracting. Widespread and common in Scotland.Population trend 10 years +3%; since 1976 -58%.
West Midlands Status: Limited number of colonies with highest numbers in Shropshire, overall range contracting.
Population trend 10 years – increasing although decline since 2011.
Hotspots: Wyre Forest, Cannock Chase in Staffordshire and South Shropshire Hills. Llanymynech, Cannock Chase, Wyre Forest.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.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.
Wingspan Male 35–41 mm, female 38–44 mm

Caterpillar Food Plant:The main foodplants are Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris).

Life Cycle

The Charts show the distribution over the last 5 years – present on a few known sites 2020 to 2025
The Population Trend from Transect Records – 2021 to 2025 showing considerable decline
Phenology from Trabsect Records

Timed Counts in Wyre Forest: