#argynnis adippe

[stephanocardona]

High brown fritillary by pmc7027

[blackforestnature]

Argynnis adippe #2 de: Feuriger Perlmuttfalter, en: high brown fritillary

[blackforestnature]

Argynnis adippe (de: Feuriger Perlmuttfalter, en: high brown fritillary)

[xyzquantumpoet]

High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe) underwing Lepidoptera wing hexagon - Giclée print © Quantum Press 2017

5% of each sale of the Quantum Press LEPIDOPTERA HEXAGONS range is donated to Butterfly Conservation, protecting butterflies, moths and our environment. Three quarters of the UK’s butterfly species have declined during the last decade; this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly Conservation improves landscapes for butterflies and moths, creating a better environment for us all.

This large, powerful butterfly is usually seen flying swiftly over the tops of bracken or low vegetation in woodland clearings. In flight, the males are almost impossible to separate from those of the Dark Green Fritillary, which often share the same habitats. However, both species frequently visit flowers such as thistles and Bramble where it is possible to see their distinctive underside wing markings. The Dark Green lacks the orange ringed 'pearls' on the underside of the hindwing.  The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction.

[earthstory]

The High Brown Fritillary Butterfly. The High Brown Fritillary butterfly (Argynnis Adippe) is one of two critically endangered butterflies in the UK. It is a large and powerful butterfly with a wingspan up to 67mm and known for its black and orange wings. Prior to the 1970s this butterfly was widespread across England and Wales. With newer human management of landscapes, habitat has been reduced therefore reducing numbers of the species.The High Brown Fritillary’s main habitats are bracken dominated areas and limestone rock outcrops. There is now only 3 colonies located in Wales, Morecambe Bay and Dartmoor.

In 2014, according to data collected by the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme the highest number of this species were spotted over a two week surveying period than had been seen in the past decade. This charity run survey asked the UK population to spend 15 minutes in a warm sunny area during the survey period and note if they spot any of the top 21 common UK butterflies. Overall 32 of the 56 species saw a marked increase since 2013, whilst 1 showed no change and 23 decreased.

It is believed a warmer spring and summer helped cause an increase in the butterfly population. There were also various conservation programmes run by charities to restore habitat such as woodland and moorland that also probably had an impact on population numbers.

If you live or will be in the UK between the 17th July and 9th August 2015, maybe you’d like to get involved? It only takes 15 minutes and you’ll be helping the monitoring of UK butterflies. ~SA

Picture: http://bit.ly/1bRnqlz by By Harald Süpfle Fact Sheet on the High Brown Fritillary: http://bit.ly/1MGuVfD

The Big Butterfly Count: http://bit.ly/1MGuX74