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Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
