The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly has had a bumper year in Northern Ireland, thanks to warm weather and years of habitat restoration by Butterfly Conservation and local farmers.
Once common across the UK and Ireland, the species declined sharply due to changing farming practices and the loss of its only food plant, Devil’s-bit Scabious. Conservation teams have been working with landowners to manage grassland more effectively, ensuring the right conditions for the butterfly to breed.
Recent surveys of caterpillar nests show dramatic increases: one site rose from 24 to 53 nests, another from 24 to 139, and a third from five to 27. Volunteers count the silken webs each autumn to track population health.
Experts warn that weather alone can’t reverse decades of decline. With the Marsh Fritillary producing just one brood per year, suitable habitat remains crucial for its survival.
