Clare Climate Action Engagement Platform

Marsh Fritillary Butterfly Mural

A vibrant mural celebrating the endangered Marsh Fritillary Butterfly has been unveiled at the Design Bank in Miltown Malbay, housed in the historic old Bank of Ireland building. The artwork, created by Marcus O’Connor of Sufek West Murals, is part of a larger community project supported by Clare County Council's Climate Action Team and the Creative Communities Creative Ireland Programme.

The mural prominently features the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Ireland's only insect listed as a protected species under Annex II due to its high risk of extinction. The artwork also showcases native wildflowers, including the Devils Bit Scabious, and other local flora that are interdependent with the butterfly. These elements together highlight the fragile and beautiful ecosystem of Miltown Malbay, where a critical breeding site for the butterfly is located.

About The Marsh Fritillary Butterfly

The Marsh Fritillary Butterfly has an orange and cream square pattern on their wings and can be identified by their distinctive cream bands on their underwing.

Did you know? The Marsh Fritillary Butterfly is one of Ireland’s few legally protected Butterflies. It is protected under Annex II of the European Union Habitats and Species Directive.

They rely on Devil’s Bit Scabious, Succisa pratensis, for their lifecycle. It is a blue flowering plant with broad leaves and it is vital to the survival of the marsh fritillary. This plant can grow in a variety of habitats but with agricultural intensification and traditional farming practices declining they are not as abundant as they once were.

The mature adults lay their eggs under the leaves of the plant in large numbers the larvae or caterpillars hatch from them roughly 30 days later in early to mid-June and spin webs around the leaves of the devils bit scabious. They can live in large groups together creating small areas of dense webs and can be seen in late September.

The larvae stay together in colonies until March when they pupate or create a cocoon, they emerge as adults in early April to May on the leaves or twigs of the scabious plant. The emerging adults then start the lifecycle again, they can survive for about two to three weeks.

Source: Irish Wildlife Trust

How We Can Support Butterflies

In Ireland, there exists a vast network of potential habitats within gardens that can be effectively managed to support these beautiful insects. Regardless of size, every garden has the potential to make a meaningful difference for butterfly conservation. The “Gardening for Butterflies” by the National Biodiversity Data Centre booklet aims to offer evidence-based recommendations on how to manage gardens to create favourable conditions for butterflies. Whether in private homes, schools, or community spaces, together we can make a significant impact in nurturing and safeguarding these important creatures.