Butterfly ID
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Field guide · Sweden
Brush-footed butterflies · Sweden

Lesser Marbled Fritillary

Brenthis ino

A yellow-red fritillary with rounded wings and a pale brownish-yellow hindwing underside with indistinct eyespots. It is common throughout Sweden from Skåne to northern Jämtland, and farther north in the lowlands around the Gulf of Bothnia.

Status in this countryCommon in SwedenLC (Least concern)
Lesser Marbled Fritillary

Flight period

In southern Sweden from the third week of June, further north in early or during the first half of July; it flies throughout July and may be observed until mid-August.

Habitat

Areas of forest where moister meadow soils transition into poor bog; also, to the north, on heathlands.

Identifying features

Wingspan 33–42 millimetres. On the upper side, the wings are yellowish-red with small black spots and wider, wavy black markings; the wings are more rounded than those of most smaller fritillary butterflies. The underside of the hindwing is light brownish-yellow with a transverse band of yellow and white spots and 4–5 faint, dark brown eyespots.

Similar species

No similar species are described in the sources consulted.

Distribution

General throughout the area covered by Sweden, from Skåne to northern Jämtland and the Åsele Lappmark, and further north in the lowlands around the Bottenviken.

Biology

The larvae primarily feed on elk grass, also on bridal crown and northwards on moose berries. The larva overwinters in the eggshell and emerges in April–May.