Pearl-bordered fritillary  (Boloria euphrosyne)

In Britain, The pearl-bordered fritillary is currently one of the most rapidly declining butterflies. The main reason for the decline seems to be inappropriate habitat management, particularly the decline in woodland coppicing and loss of open areas and broad rides. In the last 20 years there has been a high level of local extinctions, this is thought to be due to the maturation of forestry plantations created in the 1950s and 60s, which have now become too dense for this species (4). Loss of suitable bracken habitat has also occurred, either because of bracken removal or overgrowth and scrub invasion (4). Grazing by livestock and the trampling that accompanies it, can help to maintain suitable habitat (2).

In key areas, appropriate grazing should be maintained and encouraged through agri-environment schemes. In a number of nature reserves supporting the pearl-bordered fritillary, traditional coppice management has been reinstated with promising results. However many large populations are at risk in Scotland due to the practice of fencing off woodland and promoting natural regeneration, which although beneficial for some species, will result in a loss of edge habitat and clearings needed by this and other species of butterfly (4). The pearl-bordered fritillary is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (2).