The Marsh Fritillary butterfly, once common but now severely reduced across the UK and Ireland, has had an excellent year in Northern Ireland thanks to warm weather and years of habitat restoration.
Surveys by Butterfly Conservation found large increases in caterpillar nests on managed sites. One location saw nests rise from 24 to 53, while another recorded 139 compared with just 24 last year. These gains reflect long-term work with farmers to maintain grasslands rich in Devil’s-bit Scabious—the only plant the species’ caterpillars eat.
Conservation manager Rose Cremin said weather helps in the short term, but restoring and managing habitat is essential for long-term survival. The Marsh Fritillary produces just one brood a year, making it vulnerable to any disruption. Despite decades of decline, this year’s results show that targeted conservation is paying off.
