Heath Fritillary 2221512 220187254 2008-06-18T18:02:43Z Grmanners 2630243 Category:British butterflies {{Taxobox | name = Heath Fritillary | image = Ratamoverkkoperhonen.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | classis = [[Insect]]a | ordo = [[Lepidoptera]] | superfamilia = [[Papilionoidea]] | familia = [[Brush-footed butterfly|Nymphalidae]] | subfamilia = [[Melitaeinae]] | genus = ''[[Melitaea]]'' | species = '''''M. athalia''''' | binomial = ''Melitaea athalia'' | binomial_authority = ([[Rottemburg]], [[1775]]) | synonyms = ''Mellicta athalia'' }} The '''Heath Fritillary''' (''Melitaea athalia'') is a [[butterfly]] of the [[Nymphalidae]] family. It is found throughout the [[Palaearctic]] from Western Europe to [[Japan]], in [[heathland]], grassland, and in [[coppice]]d woodland. Its association with coppiced woodland earned it the name "Woodman's Follower" in parts of the UK.<ref name=BC-nd>{{harvnb|Butterfly Conservation|n.d.}}</ref> It is considered a threatened species in the [[UK]] and [[Germany]], but not globally. ==Description== [[Image:Melitaea athalia03.jpg|thumb|left|Underside showing diagnostic pattern of spots]] :''See [[Glossary of Lepidopteran terms|glossary]] for terms used'' Heath Fritillaries have a wing-span of 39–47 mm.<ref name=warrenemmet>{{harvnb|Warren|Emmet|1990}}</ref> The upperside is predominantly dark brown and orange-brown, with the orange-brown spots delineated by dark brown (along and across the wing-veins); there is a white fringe to the wings through which the dark brown extends. The upperside of the body is a similar dark brown to the colour on the wing, and the base of both wings is dark brown. The underside shows bands of red and (off-)white, again with each vein dark brown and each colour delineated by dark brown. The pattern of white spots at the base of the hindwing (visible at rest) is diagnostic for identification. ==Range== [[Image:Melitaea athalia01.jpg|thumb]] The Heath Fritillary ranges throughout the [[Palaearctic]] region from [[Western Europe]] to [[Japan]].<ref name=warrenemmet/> In Europe, it is '''absent''' from Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, southern Portugal, southern Spain, the Mediterranean islands and southern Greece.<ref name=tolmanlewington>{{harvnb|Tolman|Lewington|1997}}</ref> In the UK, it is restricted to [[Cornwall]] and [[Devon]] grasslands (abandoned hay-meadows); [[Exmoor]] (heathland); and [[Kent]] and [[Essex]] ([[coppice]]d woodland on acid soils).<ref name=tomstill>{{harvnb|Tomlinson|Still|2002}}</ref> The populations in Essex are the result of [[reintroduction]]s,<ref name=warrenemmet/> and further reintroductions are ongoing in various other parts of the UK.<ref name=Chandler>{{harvnb|Chandler|2005}}</ref> Its altitudinal range is is from sea-level to 2600 m.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> ==Status== Heath Fritillary is not listed on the [[IUCN Red List]],<ref>{{harvnb|IUCN|2006}}</ref> suggesting that globally it is not considered threatened. [[Image:Lepidoptera wing.jpg|thumb]] In the UK, however, the species was "considered to be the most endangered British butterfly" after a nationwide survey in 1980 found only 31 surviving colonies. Consequently, it was given protection under the [[Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981]].<ref name=warrenemmet/> Despite subsequent widespread efforts to conserve and manage the species' habitats, it has continued to decline: distribution has declined 25% since the 1970s, and abundance-wise it declined by 46% in the 10 years 1995–2004.<ref>{{harvnb|Butterfly Conservation|2007}}</ref> Woodland sites in Kent and Essex are actively managed (coppiced) for the conservation of this species. It has been a "high priority" species in the UK [[Biodiversity Action Plan]] (BAP) since 1995 and has its own ''Species Action Plan''.<ref>{{harvnb|Barnett|Warren|1995}}</ref> Heath Fritillary is also on the "Red List" in [[Germany]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bundesamt für Naturschutz|1998}}</ref> ==Habitat== Within [[Europe]], the Heath Fritillary occupies a diversity of grassy, flowery habitats—dry or damp, upland or lowland, with or without shrubs or trees, including woodland clearings and heathland.<ref name=tolmanlewington/><ref>{{harvnb|Whalley|1981}}</ref> More specifically, in [[England]], this species occupies three distinct habitats:<ref name=tomstill/><ref name=warrenemmet/><ref name=BC-nd/> *Unimproved grassland with abundant short (5–15 cm) or sparse swards of Ribwort Plantain or Germander Speedwell (or both) on stony soils – sometimes in the form of abandoned hay-meadows *Sheltered heathland with Common Cow-wheat scattered among [[Bilberry]]-dominated vegetation – valleys with mineral soils *Coppiced woodland (especially in clearings) with Common Cow-wheat on acid soils. In [[France]], this species is uses unimproved hay-meadows and pastures.<ref name=warrenemmet/> == Habits == [[Image:Melitaea.athalia.1.jpg|thumb]] Heath Fritillaries typically fly close to the ground, with characteristic "flits" and glides. Colonies tend to be compact, centred on favoured breeding areas. Heath Fritillaries are highly sedentary for the most part, adults rarely moving more than 100 m; however, some have been recorded dispersing up to 2 km. For a species of often short-lived habitats, it has remarkably limited colonizing ability; suitable habitats over 600 m from an existing colony are colonized slowly.<ref name=BC-nd/> ==Life cycle== ===Egg=== The female Heath Fritillary lays its eggs (or ova) in batches of (15–)80–150 on the underside of leaf of a larval food plant or on a plant adjacent to the larval foodplant. Eggs are oval spheroids with flattened bases, about 0.5 mm high. They are ribbed (longitudinally, i.e. from top to bottom) and striated (transversely, i.e. around the egg). Pale cream when laid, eggs darken to pale yellow within 2 days, and then dark grey a few days before hatching. Eggs mature in 2–3 weeks.<ref name=warrenemmet/> ===Caterpillar=== [[Image:Heath Fritillary caterpillar.jpg|thumb|The caterpillar is black with yellow-orange spines and off-white spots]] Upon emergence, first-[[instar]] [[caterpillar]]s (or larvae) eat their eggshells. The caterpillars from a clutch initially stay together, feeding in a small, unobtrusive web. Second or third instar caterpillars disperse into smaller groups. Then the third instars tend to feed and rest solitarily; they rest beneath dead leaves at night and during bad weather. The caterpillar [[hibernate]]s for the winter in a [[hibernaculum]], made from a curled dead leaf by spinning its edges together. Hibernacula are usually close to the ground. Although most caterpillars hibernate singly, they sometimes group in twos and threes, although 15–20 caterpillars have been found in single hibernaculum.<ref name=warrenemmet/> Caterpillars re-emerge in early spring. When it is warm, they feed a little, but most of the time is spent basking in the sun. There are six instars in total. The full-grown sixth instar caterpillar is 22–25 mm long, and predominantly black; it has pale (yellow-orange) spines and (greyish-white) spots.<ref name=warrenemmet/><ref name=tomstill/> ===Pupa=== [[Image:Heath Fritillary pupa.jpg|thumb|left|The pupa is predominantly brown and white]] The pupae are 12.4–12.8 cm long and last 15–25 days (early May to late June in the UK). They are white with black and orange-brown blotches. Pupae are usually found close to the ground in or beneath dead leaves.<ref name=warrenemmet/><ref name=tomstill/> A study in Cornwall (England) recorded mortality rates in the region of 50%, mostly from predation by small mammals, but including predation by beetles, and [[parasitism]].<ref name=warrenemmet/><!-- (Warren, 1985, cited in Warren and Emmet, 1990).--> ===Imago=== [[Image:Melitaea.athalia.2.jpg|thumb]] Imagines probably live for 5–10 days.<ref name=warrenemmet/> Males are active on warm sunny days. Females mate once shortly after emerging; they lay their eggs only during warm weather, spending most of the time either basking or hiding in vegetation.<ref name=warrenemmet/><ref name=tomstill/> ====''Flight period''==== Across its range (see "Subspecies and variation" below), subspecies ''athalia'' shows a protracted flight period from mid-May to mid-August. In favourable localities and/or favourable seasons, a partial second brood has been recorded from mid- or late August to September.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> In the UK, the flight period is from the end of May to the beginning of July (in the south-west) and early June to early August (in the south-east).<ref name=warrenemmet/> Fennoscandian subspecies ''norvegica'' flies in June–July, precise timing being affected by the season.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> In southern Europe, subspecies ''celadussa'' flys in a single brood at high altitude in June–July. Below the subalpine level, however, it is [[voltinism|bivoltine]], flying in May–June and late July–August—except for f. ''nevadensis'' in the [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]], which is univoltine.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> ==Host-plants== In the UK, the following species are used:<ref name=warrenemmet/> [[Image:Ribwort 600.jpg|right|thumb|Ribwort Plantain—one of the two main food plants on grassland]] *[[Melampyrum pratense|Common Cow-wheat]] (''Melampyrum pratense'') — the only foodplant in woodland, and principal foodplant on heathland *[[Digitalis purpurea|Common Foxglove]] (''Digitalis purpurea'') — secondary foodplant on heathland *[[Ribwort Plantain]] (''Plantago lanceolata'') — major foodplant on grassland *[[Germander Speedwell]] (''Veronica chamaedryas'') — major foodplant on grassland *[[Greater Plantain]] (''P. major'') — secondary foodplant *[[Ivy-leaved Speedwell]] (''V. hederifolia'') — secondary foodplant *[[Veronica serpyllifolia|Thyme-leaved Speedwell]] (''V. serpyllifolia'') — secondary foodplant *[[Yarrow]] (''Achillea millefolium'') — secondary foodplant Additional host-plants used elsewhere in Europe are:<ref name=tolmanlewington/> *Alpine [[Plantago|Plantain]] (''[[Plantago alpina]]'') *Mountain [[Veronica (plant)|Speedwell]] (''Veronica montana'') *[[Veronica officinalis|Heath Speedwell]] (''V. officinalis'') *[[Spiked Speedwell]] (''V. spicata'') *[[Melampyrum|Small Cow-wheat]] (''Melampyrum sylvaticum'') *[[Digitalis ferruginea|Rusty Foxglove]] (''[[Digitalis]] ferruginea'') *[[Digitalis lutea|Yellow Foxglove]] (''D. lutea'') *[[Linaria vulgaris|Common Toadflax]] (''Linaria vulgaris'') == Subspecies and variation == Three [[subspecies]] are recognized in Europe:<ref name=tolmanlewington/> *''M. a. athalia'' – from the [[Atlantic]] coast to the [[Bosporus]] ([[Turkey]]) (altitude 0–2200m), excluding the ranges of the following subspecies *''M. a. norvegica'' [[Per Olof Christopher Aurivillius|Aurivillius]] 1888 – [[Fennoscandia]] (altitude 0–800 m) *''M. a. celadussa'' [[Hans Fruhstorfer|Frühstorfer]] 1910 – northern [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]] and the [[Sierra Nevada (Spain)|Sierra Nevada]], southern France, southern [[Switzerland]], [[Italy]] (including [[Sicily]]) (altitude 0–2600 m) :*The transitional zone between subspecies ''athalia'' and ''celadussa'' is broad—up to 150 km in places Many forms and subspecies of ''M. a. athalia'' have been described, but are best regarded as "ecological variants" and intermediates in clinal variation.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> [[Bulgaria]] has f. ''boris'' Frühstorfer, with heavier marginal borders, alongside the typical nominate form.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> In central [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]], ''M. a. norvegica'' f. ''lachares'' Frühstorfer has finer black markings; transitional forms between f. ''lachares'' and typical ''M. a. norvegica'' occur in southern Sweden.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> In [[Portugal]] and north-west [[Spain]], ''M. a. celadussa'' f. ''biedermanni'' Querci is larger than typical ''M. a. celadussa'', with finer black lines in the outer half of the wing, but a thicker discal line; transitional forms occur in central west Spain. In Sierra Nevada, f. ''nevadensis'' [[Ruggero Verity|Verity]] is golden-yellow with fine black markings (it is also [[voltinism|univoltine]], whereas typical ''M. a. celadussa'' is bivoltine at low altitude). In "southern" Europe, f. ''tenuicola'' Verity occurs in late broods—it is small and its black markings reduced.<ref name=tolmanlewington/> ==Citations== {{reflist|2}} == References == *{{citation|last1=Barnett|first1=L.K.|last2=Warren|first2=M.S.|year=1995|title=Species Action Plan: Heath Fritillary ''Mellicta athalia|publisher=''Butterfly Conservation, East Lulworth, UK. 24p.}} *{{citation|last1=Bundesamt für Naturschutz (Hrsg.)|year=1998|title=Rote Liste gefährdeter Tiere Deutschlands|publisher=Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster, Germany. ISBN 978-3-896-24110-8.}} *{{citation|last=Butterfly Conservation|year=n.d.|title= Heath Fritillary ''Melitaea athalia'' factsheet|publisher=Butterfly Conservation, East Lulworth, UK. 2p.}} *{{citation|last=Butterfly Conservation|year=2007|title=The State of Britain's Butterflies 2007|publisher=Butterfly Conservation, East Lulworth, UK. 12p.}} *{{citation|last=Chandler|first=D.|year=2005|title=. ''The fritillaries of Herts & Middlesex in the summer of 2005.'' Butterfly Conservation Hertfordshire and Middlesex Branch Newsletter'' 43 (September 2005), pp. 1–3.}} *{{citation|last=IUCN|year=2006|url=http://www.iucnredlist.org|title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>}} (Accessed on 15 June 2007) *{{citation|last1=Tolman|first1=T.|last2=Lewington|first2=R.|year=1997|title=Collins Field Guide: Butterflies of Britain & Europe|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers, London, UK. pp. 174–176.}} *{{citation|last1=Tomlinson|first1=D.|last2=Still|first2=R.|year=2002|title=Britain's Butterflies|publisher=WildGuides, Old Basing, UK. pp. 124–125.}} *{{citation|last1=Warren|first1=M.S.|last2=Emmet|first2=A.M.|year=1990|title=MELLICTA ATHALIA'' (Rottemburg). Pages 241–243 in Emmet, A.M., J. Heath et al. (Eds.) The Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. ''The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland'' Vol. 7 Part 1 (Hesperiidae to Nymphalidae)|publisher=''Harley Books, Colechester, UK. 370p.}} *{{citation|last=Whalley|first=P.|year=1981|title=The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Butterflies|publisher=Mitchell Beazley, London. p. 77.}} ==External links== *[http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?vernacular_name=Heath%20Fritillary UK Butterflies – Heath Fritillary entry, including images of life stages] [[Category:Melitaea]] [[Category:Butterflies and moths of Europe]] [[Category:British butterflies]] [[da:Brun pletvinge]] [[de:Wachtelweizen-Scheckenfalter]] [[fy:Boskplakflinter]] [[lt:Paprastoji šaškytė]] [[hu:Közönséges tarkalepke]] [[nl:Bosparelmoervlinder]] [[no:Vanlig rutevinge]] [[fi:Ratamoverkkoperhonen]] [[sv:Skogsnätfjäril]]