Field guide · Sweden
Brush-footed butterflies · Sweden

Cranberry fritillary

Boloria aquilonaris

A medium-sized fritillary with angular hindwings and coarse black markings on the upperside. It is common in Sweden except on certain islands. The larvae mainly feed on cranberry and bog rosemary in bogs and fens.

Status in this countryCommon in SwedenLC (Least concern)
Cranberry fritillary

Flight period

Flights from the middle or end of June through July, into August in the north.

Habitat

Marshes and fens.

Identifying features

Wingspan 29–37 millimetres with angular hindwings. The upper side has wings that are yellowish-red with rough black markings, while the underside is richly contrasted with silver-white spots. The rough markings and angular hindwings distinguish it from Mountain fritillary.

Similar species

Similar to Mountain fritillary (Boloria napaea), which, however, has finer black markings and weaker markings on the underside of the forewing.

Distribution

General in Sweden, except on certain islands.

Biology

The larvae primarily feed on cranberry and bog rosemary.