This pair of Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies, Bolaria euphrosyne, were photographed at Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, Cornwall during the week.
Several others were seen flying low over the bracken when ever the sun broke through the clouds.
This is the earliest flying Fritillary butterfly in the British Isles and one whose numbers have been in serious decline in recent years.
The easiest way to identify this scarce species from the similar and more common Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Bolaria selene, is to compare the undersides.
Other butterflies are featured in the Butterfly galleries, European Butterfly galleries and species pages.
Butterfly caterpillars are featured in the Butterfly caterpillar galleries and species pages.
