The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, Illinois is conducting a DNA research experiment on Boloria selene.
Similar to Pearl-bordered Fritillary but has black chevrons on edge of wings, large central black dot on each one and white pearls (compared to 2 of the other species) on the underside.
Distribution
Widespread across central and northern Europe and through Asia to Korea. Also occurs in North America. Range appears stable through much of Europe but declines have been reported in at least nine countries.
Widespread across upland and western Britain, but not found in central, eastern England or Ireland. NBN Gateway distribution profile can be accessed here. Its species numbers are declining in England. It occurs in damp, grassy habitats, woodland clearings and moorland. Has also been found in dune slacks and coastal cliffs.
Foodplants and eggs
In the UK this species uses several species of violet as foodplant. In dryer areas Dog Violets are used whilst in wetter areas the fooplant is Bog Violet Viola palustris, or Marsh Violet growing amongst Purple Moor-grass or Tufted Hair-grass. They prefer the damper areas more often. They occur amongst bracken where this is shading the appropriate violet species.
