2005 : The fritillaries

The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary now has a very limited distribution in East Sussex and only survives through efforts of our conservation team. Unfortunately there have been no records from Old Lodge Warren Wood since 2003 (Philip Clarkson Webb).

New squares: 2   Lost squares: 6   Both squares: 2

The Pearl-bordered Fritillary continues to do better than its smaller relative and can be found in both East and West Sussex. Rewell Wood near Arundel continues to be a favourite spotting location and we are most appreciative of the work undertaken by Rob Thurlow to ensure that it continues to prosper in this wood. The seasonal calendars of the Pearl and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries clearly indicates their successional emergence – which is an aid to their differentiation.  

New squares 3   Lost squares 17   Both squares 5

In Sussex the Dark Green Fritillary is generally associated with the South Downs although vagrants have been noted further afield. Our population seems to be neither increasing nor decreasing and the emergence period differs only slightly from one year to another.

New squares 2   Lost squares 34   Both squares 24

Silver-washed Fritillaries are to be found across most of Sussex throughout late June and the whole of July and August. In 2005 the peak emergence appears to have occurred in late July.

New squares 18   Lost squares 74   Both squares 42