FOOD PLANTS OF THE LARVAE OF THE 
BRITISH BUTTERFLIES 
1. The Milkweed Butterfly (Danaus plexippui). 
Difierent kinds of milkweed ( Asclepias) : A. comuti, A. purpurascens, A. tubetosa and 
A. curassavica. Night ami day feeder. 
2. The Speckled Wood ( Pararge ageria). 
Various grasses, especially Poa annua, Triticum repens and Dactylis glnmerata. During the 
last stage the larva feeds by day and night. 
3. The Wall ( P. megera). 
Various grasses, especially the tender blades of Daclylis glomerata and Poa annua. Feeds 
at night. 
4. The Small Mountain Ringlet ( Erebia epiphron). 
The natural food plant in the wild state is Nonius stricta (Mat Grass). In captivity the larva 
readilv feeds on Pestuca otf'na, Hair Grasses (Aira) and Poa annua. Feeds chiefly at night. 
5. The Scotch Argus (P. aethiops). 
The chief food is Molinui caerulea (Blue Moor Grass). In captivity Poa annua and other 
grasses. Feeds both by day and night. 
6 . The Marbled White (Salyrut galathea ). 
Grasses, when young chiefly: Pestuca ovitui; Phleum pratense ; Dactylis glower at a and 
Poa annua. Feeds chiefly at night. 
7. The Grayling (Pumenis semele). 
Various grasses : Pestuca wina, Hair Grasses, Poa annua and Triticum repens. Night feeder 
resting at the base of grass sterns during the day. 
8 . The Hedge Brown (Maniola tithonus). 
Various grasses, especially : Triticum repens, Poa annua and Dactylis glomerata. Night feeder. 
9. The Meadow Brown ( Maniola jurtina). 
Various grasses : Triticum repens, Poa annua, Phleum pratense and other common species. 
Feeds chiefly at night. 
10. The Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus). 
Various grasses: Poa annua. P. neworalis, Pesluca pratensis, and other small-leaved species. 
Night feeder, abo occasionally by day in winter during mild weather. 
it. The Large Heath ( Coenonympha tuliia). 
In captivity, grasses, especially Pestuca ovina and its varieties, such as vivipara, augustijalia , 
humilis and bromoides, for these are common in the localities when’ ( . tuliia occurs. They 
are probably the natural food plants of the larvae, although it is considered that the larvae 
in a wild state feed only on the Beaked Kush ( Rhynchospora alba); in captivity, however, 
the very young larvae refused to feed on this plant, but fed readily on Poa annua. In early 
spring, when warm, the larvae feed by day, otherwise chiefly by night. 
12. The Ringlet ( Aphantopus kyperanthus). 
Various grasses: Dactylis glomerata, Poa annua, Triticum repens, Brachypotlium svlvaticum 
anti other woodland species. Feeds only at night. 
13. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary CArgynnis se/ene). 
Dog-violet ( Viola canina). Feeds chiefly by day, prefers sunshine. 
14. Pearl-bordered FritiUary (Argynnis euphrc&yne). 
Dog-violet ( V, canina). Feeds by day, usually resting at night away from the plant. Crawls 
rapidly, swaying its head from side to side. 
13- Queen 0! Spain FritiUary (Argsmms latkonia). 
Wild Heartsease (I 'tola tricolor, Vcanina and the other kinds of Viola. Very active, and 
feeds voraciously, crawls very rapidly, day feeder. 
16. High Brown FritiUary ( A rgsnnis cydippe). 
Dog-violet ( I\ canina). Very active in the sunshine and feeds rapidly, crawling with rapidity. 
Rests at night and during dull weather. 
17- Dark Green Fritillary CArgynnis aglaia). 
Dog-violet ( l r . canina) and other Violas. During sunshine the larva feeds rapidly, and 
commonly lies at full length basking in the sun, either upon the ground or on the leaves. 
Runs very rapidly if disturbed. Day feeder. 
18. Silver-washed FritiUary CArgynnis paphia). 
Dog-violet ( V. canina). Very active, feeds rapidly, but only for a short time each meal. 
All the Argynnidae larvae will readily feed on the’ cultivated varieties of the Viola. 
19- The Marsh Fritfllary (EuphyJryas aurinea). 
Devil's Bit Scabious ( Scabiosa succisa) and other Scabious, also, when in captivity, Honey¬ 
suckle and Snow-berry. Day feeder. 
20. The GlanviUe FritiUary (M elite ea cinxia). 
Narrow-leaved Plantain CPlantago lanceolata) and P. maritima. Day feeder. 
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