Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Action Plan
Priority Species: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Priorities
1. Protect and enhance existing populations of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the DBAP area
2. Expand the range and size of population of Small Pearl-bordered fritillary
3. Maintain and enhance suitable habitat at known occupied sites and potential sites
4. Re-introduce Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary into its former areas
Targets
Vision Statement: To secure its remaining sites within the existing network, and to expand its range – including the restoration of other habitat networks within its former range.
| Target | Type | Unit | Value |
| 1. To increase the range of the small pearl-bordered fritillary in the Durham BAP area. | expand | sites | 10 |
| 2. To increase the population of small pearl-bordered fritillary in the Durham BAP area. | expand | number of colonies with more than 100 individuals | 1 |
This butterfly occurs in four main habitats damp grassland, flushes and moorland; woodland glades and clearings; grassland with bracken and/or scrub; open wood-pasture and wood edges. Its larval food plants are marsh violet (Viola palustris)
The small pearl-bordered fritillary is single brooded with adults flying from late May to end of mid July
The butterfly remains widespread and locally abundant in Scotland & Wales, but has undergone severe decline in England, especially in central-southern England, surviving only in a dwindling number of woodland clearings.
Local status
In the North-east of England the small pearl-bordered fritillary is confined to violet-rich flushes, damp grassland and grassland/bracken/scrub mosaics.
By 2005, there were only four known extant small pearl-bordered fritillary colonies in the Durham BAP area, where the species has declined by at least 93% since the mid-nineteenth century. All four sites are located in the same habitat network. It is currently the most endangered butterfly species in the Durham area. Extant sites support small populations (i.e. < 100 adults at peak flight period) and until recently, restricted to small breeding areas (<0.5ha), where larval food plants occur. All four sites are managed for the butterfly, but small patch size, small population size and isolation mean they are vulnerable (Ellis & Wainwright 2005). However, two more colonies were discovered in 2006 and it is possible other sites are awaiting discovery.
Threats
- Loss of suitable habitat through inappropriate management of suitable habitat – i.e over or undergrazing.
- Loss of suitable habitat through agricultural improvement – particularly through drainage, fertilisation and reseeding.
- Isolation of remaining colonies