This butterfly is on the edge in Guernsey, geographically and numerically. It is very localised, mainly on areas of the south coast cliffs. Eggs are laid on Ribwort Plantain. This species likes warm, sunny conditions. Although the plantain is very common, they seem to prefer plants right by the cliff path where it will be a little warmer. This makes them vulnerble to being trodden on or if the plant is cut away as the paths are kept clear over the summer.
Fritillary butterflies are so called because of their chequered appearance, similar to the Snakeshead Fritillary flower. This species takes its name from Lady Eleanor Glanville (1654 – 1709) http://eleanorglanvillecentre.lincoln.ac.uk/about/who-was-eleanor-glanville/ . Initially named the Lincolnshire Fritillary, it was later re-named to honour the first British woman naturalist. (It didn’t go down too well with her family!)
Andy Smith, one of Guernsey’s most knowledgeable amateur lepidopterists, organised a team of helpers to clear a small quarry on the cliffs of the invasive sour fig in 2018. This has produced some excellent results, with butterflies hatching there the following year. The butterflies are attracted to areas of disturbed soil (cliffs are favoured because of erosion) where the plantain thrives together with nectar plants for the adults, such as Dandelions, Hawkweed, Thrift and Bird’s-foot Trefoil.
It is listed as a priority species in the UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) and is only found on the south coast of the Isle of Wight and a few locations on the mainland. It has died out in Jersey during recent years. It is more abundant in Alderney and I was lucky enough to come across two in July 2021.
Let’s hope that increased awareness of this locally fragile species will result in improved habitat protection.
Natural history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey 