Heath fritillary  (Mellicta athalia)

Widespread throughout much of Europe, reaching into Asia, this species was once found in many areas of southern England, but it suffered a serious and rapid decline in the twentieth century. In 1980 the heath fritillary was very endangered and just 31 colonies were found in Kent and areas of south-west England. After 1981, new colonies were found in Exmoor, but recent research has shown that the number of colonies on Exmoor declined by 50 percent in the last ten years (6).

Found in well-drained, warm, sunny and sheltered habitats. Three main habitats are utilized and the species has different requirements in each. In coppiced woodlands or woodlands that have been recently felled, the species breeds on common cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense). On unimproved grassland it feeds on ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys). When the heath fritillary occurs on sheltered heathland, the main host plant is common cow-wheat, but sometimes foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is utilized. In all habitats, the foodplant must grow in abundance in otherwise sparse vegetation (5).