The swooping flight of this large and graceful butterfly is one of the most beautiful sights to be found in woodland during high summer. A large fast flying butterfly, separated from other fritillaries by its pointed wings and silver streaks on the undersides which can be viewed as it stops to feed on flowers such as Bramble.
Although the butterfly is seen mostly in sunny glades and rides, it actually breeds in the shadier parts of adjacent woodland. In southern England, a small proportion of females have wings that are bronze-green, known as the form valezina.
The Silver-washed Fritillary declined during the twentieth century, especially in England and Wales, but has spread noticeably during recent decades. Widespread across southern England and Wales and more locally in northern England and Ireland.
Size and Family
- Family: Fritillaries
- Size: Large
- Wing Span Range (male to female): 72-76mm
Conservation Status
- GB Red List (2022): Least Concern
- Butterfly Conservation priority: Low (but a regional priority in several regions)
- European Status: Not threatened
Caterpillar Foodplants
The main foodplant is Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) growing in shady or semi-shady positions on the woodland floor.
Lifecycle
Habitat
Broadleaved woodland, especially oak woodland or woodlands with sunny rides and glades. It occasionally uses mixed broadleaved and conifer plantations. In parts of south-west England and Ireland wooded hedgerows and sheltered lanes next to woods are used.
Distribution
- Countries: England, Ireland and Wales
- Found across Southern England and Wales and throughout Ireland
- Abundance trend: 248% (1976-2019)
- Distribution trend: 1% (1976-2019)

Factsheets
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Fritillary Butterflies of Dartmoor
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Adam Gor
Silver-washed Fritillary (Upperside)
Adam Gor

Tamás Nestor
Silver-washed Fritillary (male/upperwing)
Tamás Nestor

Colin Pumfrett
Silver-washed Fritillary (female/upperwing)
Colin Pumfrett

Silver-washed Fritillary (f.valezina) - Bob Eade
Silver-washed Fritillary (f.valezina)
Bob Eade

Silver-washed Fritillary (f.valezina) - Andrew Cooper
Silver-washed Fritillary (f.valezina)
Andrew Cooper

Silver-washed Fritillary (underwing) - Adam Gor
Silver-washed Fritillary (underwing)
Adam Gor

Silver-washed Fritillary (male/underwing) - Tamás Nestor
Silver-washed Fritillary (male/underwing)
Tamás Nestor

Silver-washed Fritillary (underwing) - Tamás Nestor
Silver-washed Fritillary (underwing)
Tamás Nestor

Silver-washed Fritillary (egg) - Peter Eeles
Silver-washed Fritillary (egg)
Peter Eeles
Silver-washed Fritillary (caterpillar) - Adam Grochowalski
Silver-washed Fritillary (caterpillar)
Adam Grochowalski

Peter Eeles
Silver-washed Fritillary (caterpillar)
Peter Eeles
Silver-washed Fritillary (pupa) - Adam Grochowalski
Silver-washed Fritillary (pupa)
Adam Grochowalski