Silver-washed Fritillary

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

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.