Rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly colonising forest

The Pearl-bordered Fritillary has colonised new forest areas in Devon. Credit: Butterfly Conservation

One of the UK's most endangered butterflies has colonised new areas of a forest in Devon, according to Butterfly Conservation.

The Pearl-bordered Fritillary, has expanded its range from Haldon Forest Estate near Kenford despite having declined by 95% in the last 40 years.

The Pearl-bordered Fritillary has declined by 95% in 40 years. Credit: Butterfly Sanctuary

The butterfly breeds in warm, sunny clearings, so volunteers helped to open up more land at Kiddens Plantation, Great Plantation and North Wood.

Staff at Paignton Zoo also helped the project by growing more than 750 Common Dog-violets - the food-plant for caterpillars of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary – all of which were planted on the new sites.

Project leader for BC, Jenny Plackett, said:

The Forestry Commission will carry out further attempts to create a habitat for the butterfly over the summer.