Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia

Identification

Large: wingspan, 70mm to 75mm.

Males are a spectacular orange brown with black patterning on the upper side of the wings. Both fore and hind wings have complex patterning which include a double row of black spots to the inside of a black scalloped wing margin. To the inside of the double row of spots there are further black markings that take the form of irregular elongate angular blotches. Males also have four black scent glands in the centre of their forewings that run along underlying main veins. The underside of the forewings reflect the colour patterning of the upper surface except for at the wing tip where the ground colouration becomes paler and the patterning a greenish grey. The underside of the hind wings do not reflect the upper side patterning but are replaced by a greenish grey ground colour interrupted by a number of irregular wavy white stripes.

Females are similarly patterned to the males but lack the scent glands of the fore wings. Their ground colour is a duller brown.

Behaviour and life history

The species is most often to be seen either flying strongly along woodland edges, feeding on brambles in particular or else sunning itself on a vantage point in its territory. Males aggressively defend their territory from other males. Eggs are laid on the bark of trees in the immediate vicinity of their larval foodplant, the Common Dog Violet, Viola riviniana. The young caterpillars remain on the trucks and branches where they overwinter before descending in the spring to feed on the Common Dog Violet. The caterpillars pupate over June before the adults emerge in July.

Where to look for it

This is a woodland species which is commonly seen flying along woodland edges and breaks in the tree canopy. It is best looked for on the tramway below Sheepstor Road in Forder Valley Local Nature Reserve, along the cycletrack through Plym Woods, and along the woodland edges in the fields of Bircham Valley Local Nature Reserve and Cann Estate.

Distribution and status

Locally not uncommon and appears to be increasing in both its range and population sizes in Plymouth.

When to look for it

It is one of the last butterflies to emerge in July but is at its most numerous during early August.

Similar species

It is really only likely to be confused with the Comma, Polygonia c-album, but the smaller size and distinctively scalloped wings of the latter are sufficient to separate the two species.

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