Butterfly Of The Year – Marsh Fritillary

The Estonian Lepidopterology Association elected the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) butterfly of the year. The butterfly was first described in 1775 by German entomologist Siegmund Adrian von Rottemburg.

The active period of the adult butterfly is from the end of May until the end of June. The species is protected both in Europe and of course also in Estonia. The Marsh Fritillary has a very active and lively flight manner, making it difficult to observe the butterfly in nature, thus it is possible only for the brief moments the butterfly lands on a flower to drink the nectar. Marsh fritillaries can be spotted in damp open lands, mainly where the devil’s pit (Succisa pratensis), which is a necessary food for the caterpillar, grows.