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Pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly
What action is going on for this species?
The following will give you information on what work has been taking place through the Species Action Framework:
Species background
The pearl-bordered fritillary 
(Boloria euphrosyne) is a pale, orange-brown butterfly with black spots and wingspan 38-46 mm. The underside is paler with reddish-brown hind wings featuring pearly, silver spots. The caterpillar is about 2.5 cm long and has a black body with black, yellow or white spines along the back.
Why is this on the Species Action List?
The pearl-bordered fritillary satisfies criterion 1a of the Species Action Framework, as a species for conservation action.
It has declined rapidly across the UK, and Scotland is now the major stronghold. Although still relatively widespread in the UK, most colonies are small and vulnerable to changing management.
There is sufficient information on the species to guide suitable management action, and the management required would benefit other species which favour woodland glades, coppiced woodland etc.
It is a UKBAP Priority Species and is included on the Scottish Biodiversity List. It is also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended.
Habitat, distribution and abundance
The pearl-bordered fritillary is found in dry, sheltered open areas, either in clearings between trees or on woodland edges. These habitat patches include young tree plantations, coppiced woodland, rides and corridors along pylon lines where the vegetation comprise a mosaic of bracken amongst mainly acidic grasses and spring woodland herbs such as bugle, the butterfly's main nectar source.
Despite having been lost from a significant part of its former range, the butterfly remains abundant at localities in north-west England and the glens of central-north Scotland (Highland, Argyll, Perthshire, Aberdeenshire and Moray).
It is widespread from western Europe to Asia although there is evidence of a decline in many countries.
General ecology
The main larval food plant is the common dog violet , although in Scotland the marsh violet is sometimes utilised. Marking studies have demonstrated that the pearl-bordered fritillary has low mobility, with the majority of individuals dispersing less than 1km during their lifetime.
History of decline, contributory factors and current threats
The pearl-bordered fritillary was formerly widespread throughout much of Britain, but it is now extinct over large parts of its former range. The main threats are loss of clearings and canopy gaps, cessation of grazing on unimproved grassland and abandonment of traditional bracken and gorse management. Open woodland sites that have been targeted for woodland improvement schemes may be threatened in the long-term. Locally, schemes involving deer culling, fencing to exclude stock and deer, or bracken spraying are causes for concern because they may lead to loss of open areas in woodlands. Improved pastures, abandonment of grazing or overgrazing by sheep are also potential threats to the habitat.
The 'Species Lead' at Scottish Natural Heritage
Brigid.primrose@snh.gov.uk Tel 01463 725000