SPRING and SUMMER EGGS and LARVAE Order now for supply in season

Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia

In the wild eggs are laid on tree bark. The larvae enter hibernation on a silken pad, without feeding. Keep the hatched larvae out of doors in a small sleeve containing the larvae on the material they are laid on, preferably on bark that has some moss of lichen for moisture. In January place them on a pot of growing violet, entirely enclosed in a sleeve. The WWB zipped Size 3 is ideal. As the larvae grow, they need extra food - they can be quite hungry!

Our largest and finest Fritillary. Many people have never seen one. Follow the above suggestions and produce your own Silver-washed Fritillaries next summer!

Feed larvae in spring on Violet or Pansy leaves – best kept on potted food.  Make sure that, if you buy potted foodplant, there had been no insecticide used  to produce them!

Pupae are formed in late spring, and the butterflies emerge in June and July.

Scarce Fritillary Hypodryas maturna

It is an arboreal species, frequenting woodland. The larvae particularly favour feeding on Ash and Aspen, as well as feeding on Honeysuckle and Scabious. There are some isolated colonies in France and Sweden, but most are found in extreme Eastern Europe and eastwards towards Siberia. Winter larvae can be hibernated in sleeves.

Dark Green Fritillary Mesoacidalia aglaia 

Best reared on potted Violet. These larvae are in hibernation. Keep the larvae in winter out of doors, in all weathers, protected amongst dead bramble and other leaves, amongst growing Violet. Cover with netting sleeve to exclude predators and to prevent escape.

Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia 

Larvae feed low amongst the leaves of Devil’s Bit Scabioius, but will also eat Honeysuckle. Honeysuckle starts leafing very early in the year, especially where sheltered in woodland. By February it is not diffficult to find enough foodplant to keep caterpillars well fed.  In captivity the larvae are recorded as accepting Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata, Teasel Dipsacus and Snowberry Symphoricarpos.

Pre-hibernation larvae might be induced to develop and produce another generation with long day-length and sufficient warmth.

After waking in the spring the larvae grow fast, pupating in April and emerging as butterflies in May.

Marsh Fritillary SCOTTISH Eurodryas aurinia 

Very scarce Scottish form. LIMITED NUMBERS!

Larvae feed low amongst the leaves of Devil’s Bit Scabioius, but will also eat Honeysuckle. Honeysuckle starts leafing very early in the year, especially where sheltered in woodland. By February it is not diffficult to find enough foodplant to keep caterpillars well fed.  In captivity the larvae are recorded as accepting Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata, Teasel Dipsacus and Snowberry Symphoricarpos.

Pre-hibernation larvae might be induced to develop and produce another generation with long day-length and sufficient warmth.

After waking in the spring the larvae grow fast, pupating in April and emerging as butterflies in May.

Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia 

It's a very long time since we have been able to offer egg masses. Each mass should produce 100-200 larvae. Amazing value!

They feed low amongst the leaves of Devil’s Bit Scabioius, but will also eat Honeysuckle. Honeysuckle starts leafing very early in the year, especially where sheltered in woodland. By February it is not diffficult to find enough foodplant to keep caterpillars well fed.  In captivity the larvae are recorded as accepting Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata, Teasel Dipsacus and Snowberry Symphoricarpos.

Cage or sleeve the larvae on growing foodplant, kept out of doors in a spot sheltered from extreme wind, but open to all weather, including frost, rain and snow. This is what winter throws at them in the wild, and they are adapted to it.

After waking in the spring the larvae grow fast, pupating in April and emerging as butterflies in May.

Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia

Feed on Narrow-leaved Plantain. Easiest to keep on potted foodplant, enclosed in a sleeve. The larvae are gregarious, living in a tight bunch at the base of the plant, and spreading out more as they grow larger. The ginger head capsule and jet black body distinguish these larvae from other species. 

In Britain this species lives mainly on the Isle of Wight coast, but they have been established elsewhere in Britain. Maybe they could be encouraged in more localities.

These larvae will produce butterflies this spring.

Irish Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia

Very hard to obtain: some available NOW!  For dispatch mid June.

We are taking orders now for whole egg batches of Irish Marsh Firtillary, for delivery in June. To rear these you need growing plants (potted or wild) of Devil’s Bit Scabious. The larvae also feed on Honeysuckle. Normally the larvae form a web in which they pass the winter. It may be possible to keep them warm and produce butterflies this year, but this should only be attempted by experienced breeders.

Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia

EGG MASS, never offered before, is best attached to a large and healthy potted foodplant where the larvae can hatch, live in a web and eventually hibernate. We advise keeping the pot caged or sleeved, for protection from predators. An egg mass will produce dozens of larvae.

Feed on Narrow-leaved Plantain. Easiest to keep on potted foodplant, enclosed in a sleeve. The larvae are gregarious, living in a tight bunch at the base of the plant, and spreading out more as they grow larger. The ginger head capsule and jet black body distinguish these larvae from other species. 

In Britain this species lives mainly on the Isle of Wight coast, but they have been established elsewhere in Britain. Maybe they could be encouraged in more localities.

Heath Fritillary Melicta athalia

Allow the hatching larvae to feed and establish themselves in a pot of foodplant. Sleeve pot and all and leave out of doors for hibernation, exposed but in a place that drains.

Common in parts of Europe, and a rare and very localised species in Britain.  The larvae thrive on narrow-leaved Plantain Plantago  and bear a remarkable resemblance to its flowerheads.  Larvae supplied in July/August will normally hibernate, but in warm conditions, some may grow and produce butterflies again this year.

Hibernation is best carried out with larvae on a substantial potted foodplant, pot and plant sleeved for protection. Keep outside in all weathers but away from flooding.

Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros

Exceptionally difficult to obtain.

One of Europe’s grand butterflies! Now thought to be extinct in Britain. The larvae feed on a variety of fruit trees, Willow, Sallow, Elms, Aspen, Poplars and Birches. Easy to rear, particularly when sleeved on growing foodplant, but protect from excessive rain. Butterflies are produced this year. A very popular species. Please order early. Could you help establish this extinct British species in your area?

Camberwell Beauty (Mourning Cloak) Nymphyalis antiopa European race

Larvae are now too large to send internationally. PUPAE can still be sent overseas. 

Camberwell Beauty larvae feed on Sallow Salix caprea, Willows, Birch and some other trees. The larvae are gregarious nearly until pupation when they are most handsome with long branched spines and wonderful contrasting red  blotches on the black ground colour. When it is possible to sleeve the larvae, we recommend this above keeping on cut food, but in wet summers the larvae easily succumbe to disease. It is a good idea to cover the sleeve with polythene to protect from rain, but don't wrap polythene around the sleeve. The just need a roof or umbrella, with plenty of ventilation all round.