Invertebrates
Silver-washed Fritillary
Argynnis paphia
In a sunlit woodland clearing, a male silver-washed fritillary loops around a female in a courtship flight, his orange wings flashing against the green of the trees.
Overview
The silver-washed fritillary, Argynnis paphia, is a Least Concern butterfly of woodland across Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. Its bright orange wings, silvery underside, and bark-laying habit make it one of the most striking large butterflies of Old World woods.
Eggs in the bark
Instead of laying on the violets its caterpillars will eat, the female lays her eggs in crevices in tree bark, and the newly hatched caterpillars find their way down to the plants below the following spring.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and spreading in parts of Britain.
Silver-washed Fritillary: common questions
Why is it called the silver-washed fritillary?
It is named for the silvery streaks that wash across the greenish underside of its hindwings.
Where does the silver-washed fritillary lay its eggs?
Females lay their eggs in crevices in tree bark, and the caterpillars descend to feed on dog-violets in spring.
What is the valezina form?
It is a rare olive-green form of the female, much less common than the usual orange form.
Where is the silver-washed fritillary found?
It lives in woodland rides and clearings across Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia.