May is the peak time to look for the Glanville Fritillary, the butterfly which in this country is confined to the Isle of Wight, although it is quite widespread on the continent.
Traditionally, the place to find them is on slumped cliffs along the southwest coast of the Island and along the revetment between Ventnor and Bonchurch.
There are information points along the seafront walk, telling you about the butterfly.
You have a good chance of seeing them here if you visit on a warm sunny day.
However, in recent years this butterfly has been expanding its range and can now be seen on some of our downs and at other inland sites.
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Butterfly numbers do fluctuate considerably from one year to the next and a few years ago there was concern that the Glanville Fritillary was in trouble.
That has proved not to be the case and, with so many other butterflies in national decline, it is encouraging to hear that the Glanville Fritillary appears to be doing well.
The Glanville Fritillary is a very distinctive butterfly.
It is quite small but has a chequer-board pattern of orange and black on the upperside of the wings.
This is characteristic of all fritillary butterflies.
Indeed, the name fritillary is derived from the Latin word fritillus meaning ‘dice box’.
In good years, favoured stretches of coastline come alive with this engaging butterfly.
There is nothing more delightful than to settle down in a sheltered spot amongst a profusion of flowering bird’s-foot trefoil, sea pink and kidney vetch, with the sunlight sparkling on the sea, and watch fritillaries flying gracefully, closely hugging the contours of the ground or settling amongst clumps of flowers.
In May, the only other butterfly with which it could be confused is the Wall Brown butterfly, a butterfly which has declined nationally but still thrives on the Island.
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