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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
The Queen of Spain Fritillary is superficially similar to the Dark Green Fritillary in flight but is somewhat smaller and has more angular wings similar to the High Brown Fritillary. The main identifiable feature which separates the Queen of Spain Fritillary from all other fritillaries are the large silvery/opalescent patches on the undersides of its hind wings.
Habitat
The Queen of Spain fritillary may be seen in costal dune systems, heathland and areas of limestone pavement especially in the northern parts of its distribution. Further south in Europe it may be seen in a wide variety of habitats where the larval food plant occurs. In the UK, it is a very rare migrant from Europe and many years may pass before an individual sighting is reported.
Recent years have seen some evidence that the species is capable of forming breeding colonies in the UK (see below).
Larval Food Plants
The main food plants particularly of more northern populations include Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor) and Field Pansy (Viola arvensis). |
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 15 photographs of the Queen of Spain Fritillary in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB1586 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB1585 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB1362 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB667 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB666 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB665 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB664 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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BB663 - Queen of Spain Fritillary
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| Distribution |
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The Queen of Spain Fritillary is an extremely rare migrant to the UK even though it is known to have strong migratory habits and strong colonies exist just across the English Channel. During the 1990's it is thought that the species did have a small breeding colony which persisted for several years in Suffolk until the colony died out... probably due to a harsh winter.
Sporadic sightings have increased in recent years.
On the 13th June 2007, a single Queen of Spain was photogragraphed at Old Winchester Hill in Hampshire but others were also reported, possibly consisting of up to 7 individuals. On the 15th September 2008, a single Queen of Spain was photogragraphed at Brandy Hole Copse near Chichester in Sussex (OD Grid Ref: SU85040660) by Mike Perry and Sandra Gould.
In 2009, an individual was seen again at Brandy Hole Copse on the 14th July by Robert Beale who also managed to get a photograph. Late in mid-September a pair of Queen of Spain Fritillaries were photographed by Neil Hulme mating at the same site in Sussex. Up to 6 different individuals have been seen consisting of 5 males and 1 female. These individuals are thought to be the offspring of a female seen at the same location in July. The presence of good quantities of the larval food plant Field Pansey at the site is key and is dependant on environmentally-friendly farming practices which avoid spraying crops at the edge of fields where the food plant grows. |
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| Where to see the Queen of Spain Fritillary |
The Queen of Spain Fritillary is an extremely rare migrant to the UK even though it is known to have strong migratory habits and colonies exist just across the English Channel.
An increase in sightings along the south coast of England and evidence of breeding in Sussex is an encouraging sign of what may be to come.
Old Winchester Hill in Hampshire and Brandy Hole Copse in Sussex and the surrounding fields are good locations based on recent observations. |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Queen of Spain Fritillary is a rare migrant species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  not applicable |
(1976-2004) not applicable |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not applicable (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 not applicable4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Queen of Spain Fritillary can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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34-56mm
