Genus EUPHYDRYAS, Scudder , 1872 
THE MARSH FRITILLARY 
Euphydryas aurinea (Rott., 1775). 
(Plate X, facing page 129) 
Haunts. As its name implies, the Marsh Fritillary frequents 
marshy ground, such as damp meadows and hollows of a 
swampy nature where its food plant, the Devil’s Bit Scabious 
(Scabiosa succisa) is to be found growing in the greatest 
profusion. 
Distribution. Although this butterfly has disappeared from 
many localities where it formerly existed, it is still to be 
found locally and widely distributed in England, Wales and 
Ireland, but is less common in Scotland. 
Abroad it is distributed over Europe and 
ranges eastward through Asia to Corea. 
Its disappearance from certain localities 
may be due to a large extent to the 
attacks of ichneumon flies ( Apanteles ), 
which frequently destroy immense num¬ 
bers of the larvae ; also it is possible that, 
owing to the gregarious habits of this 
species, whole broods may at times be 
wiped out by disease. In certain seasons 
E. aurinea larvae have been known to 
swarm in such prodigious numbers that they have starved to 
death. Fifty years ago at Church Stretton, Shropshire, the lar¬ 
vae swarmed in the spring to such an extent that the roads and 
fields covering; a large area were blackened by the countless 
thousands. Similar instances have occurred in other districts. 
Time of Appearance. The Marsh Fritillary is to be found 
on the wing towards the end of May and June, and is 
essentially single brooded. 
Hibernation. Like both Melitaea athalia and M.cinxia, this 
interesting little butterfly hibernates while in the larval state. 
Egg Laying. The eggs are laid during June on the under 
surface of the leaves of the Devil’s Bit Scabious. The process 
of laying occupies from two to four hours, as the eggs are 
laid in batches piled up one above the other in the centre 
and number from 400 to 500 in a batch. A female I kept 
The Marsh Fritillary 
(Female ab. Hants, 
S.G.C. Russell coll. 
