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Silver-washed Fritillary

Argynnis paphia

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Largest UK fritillary; soars through woodland glades.

Species Profile

Nationally Scarce (Na) on the UK Red Data Book; populations have declined significantly over the past century due to habitat loss

Lifespan: Approximately 4–6 weeks as an adult butterfly
Size & Weight: Wingspan 54–66 mm
Habitat: Woodland clearings, rides, and edges where violets grow abundantly, particularly in damp sunny locations with sheltered conditions.
UK Distribution: Found in southern England from Kent to Devon and west to Wales, with populations concentrated in the south. Resident and generally sedentary, with occasional wandering individuals.
Diet: Adults feed on nectar from teasels, brambles, thistles, and marjoram. Caterpillars feed exclusively on violet species, particularly dog violet and sweet violet.
Predators: Robber flies, spiders, birds including flycatchers, and parasitoid wasps targeting caterpillars
Mating Season: June to August, peaking in July
Breeding: Females lay eggs singly on violet leaves or nearby vegetation in loose batches. Caterpillars hatch after 4–5 days and develop through five instars over several weeks. Single generation per year, with caterpillars overwintering as first or second instars.
Behaviour: Males are highly pugnacious and patrol woodland rides vigorously, perching on leaves to intercept females. Females are more sedentary and rest with wings closed. Both sexes are strong, fast fliers with characteristic erratic flight patterns, particularly males engaged in 'hill-topping' behaviour.

Did You Know?

•The male's underwing displays a distinctive silvery or greenish sheen caused by light-reflecting scales, giving the species its common name
•Females exhibit two colour forms: the typical form is greenish-brown, while the rare 'valesina' form has bluish-green tones and occurs in only 1–5% of populations
•Silver-washed Fritillaries have a preference for sunlit, warm microclimates within woodlands and are highly sensitive to shade and climate change
•Males perform a ritualistic 'flutter-chase' during courtship, flying directly in front of females with rapid wingbeats to demonstrate fitness
•The species is undergoing northward range expansion in response to climate warming, with recent records appearing in northern England and Scotland

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