High Brown Fritillary
Fast Facts
Latin name: Fabriciana adippe
Notable feature: They can be distinguished from the similar-looking Dark Green Fritillary, by the orange ringed spots on the underside of the hindwings.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Where in the UK: Restricted to the Morecombe Bay Limestones, Exmoor, and Dartmoor, with only one colony remaining in Wales.
High Brown Fritillary 'Fabriciana adippe' © Charlie Jackson, CC BY 2.0
The High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe) is a fast flying, large, bright orange fritillary with dark black spots and dashes on its upper wings, and white spots with orange-ringed ‘pearls’ on the underside of its hindwings. It is a native species to the UK.
Caterpillars of the High Brown Fritillary are often found on Bracken, where they overwintered before hatching. This provides the perfect microhabitat for the caterpillar when it emerges. Temperatures in the Bracken fronds are up to 20°C warmer than the surrounding plants, allowing the caterpillar to develop quickly. The caterpillars mainly feed on Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) but have also been seen feeding on Heath Dog-violet (V. canina) and Pale Dog-violet (V. lactea), and Hairy Violet (V.hirta) in limestone areas, while the adults are less fussy and are seen feeding on the nectar of brambles, thistles, and knapweeds.
- Wingspan: 55 to 69 mm.
- Life span:1 year, approx. 8 months as an egg.
- Diet: Caterpillars mainly feed on Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) while the adults feed on brambles, thistles and knapweeds.
- Reproduction: Females lay eggs on Bracken stems or on dead leaves, with a single egg laid at each spot. The eggs overwinter, with the caterpillars emerging in early spring.
- When to see: The adult butterfly flies from mid-June to August. They are most active on the hottest days in summer.
- Population Trend: One of our most rapidly declining butterfly species, with a decline in abundance of -65% (1978-2019) and an -87% decline in distribution (1985-2019).
- Threats: Habitat degradation through changes in management such as reduced coppicing, reduction in food plant availability, agricultural improvement, and changes in grazing. Climate change may also have an impact on this species, but more research is needed.
- Interesting Fact: In 1699 it was known as the Greater Silver-spotted Fritillary and in 1795 the Violet Silver-spotted Fritillary.
How to help
The High Brown Fritillary is Endangered on the GB Red List and Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
In 2026, Buglife began the Moor Invertebrates Project, that aims to secure the future of eight threatened invertebrate species – including the High Brown Fritillary – within the Dartmoor Important Invertebrate Area and in Dartmoor National Park.
If you think you may have seen a High Brown Fritillary, log your finds via the iRecord app.
While Buglife continues to work to increase awareness of invertebrates and support nature’s recovery through our projects and campaigns, we need your help! You can support our work by joining the Buglife community, or consider making a donation, or even purchasing from our shop. For more ideas on how to support our work find out how to get involved. Thank you 🦋
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