High Brown Fritillary

An endangered species.
This butterfly has disappeared from all but a handful of its southern sites.
Arnside Knott is a stronghold although it is feared that it is declining here too.
It needs a very special micro climate for its eggs to survive the winter and its caterpillars need to feed on violets.

This specimen is getting old. Its colour is fading from a more orangery shade. It also has some bits missing but then so do some of my best friends.