 |
 |
 |
|
| UK Status |
|
|
|
| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
|
|
| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
|
|
| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
|
|
| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
|
|
| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Description
This large graceful butterfly is one of the stunning sights to be seen in our native Oak woodlands during mid to late summer. The Silver-washed Fritillary is most conspicuous when flying or feeding in sunny woodland glades and rides. Although this butterfly loves the sun it actually breeds in the cooler, shady parts of the woodland where the larval foodplant Common Dog Violet grows.
It is important to note that a small proportion of the female population have wings that are bronze-green colour, known as the form valezina.
Habitat
Oak woodland with wide sunny glades and rides is the Silver-washed Fritillary's primary habitat although in parts of Devon and Cornwall it is known to breed along hedgerows and sheltered lanes which are in close proximity to woods.
Larval Food Plants
The Adult female lays her eggs on damp north facing bases of tree-trunks usually on moss. The eggs are laid in a location where the actual larval foodplant grows nearby. Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) must be growing in shady positions on the woodland floor. |
|
|
| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 38 photographs of the Silver-washed Fritillary in the British Butterflies photo library |
|
BB1868 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6894.JPG
|
 |
|
BB1867 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6876.JPG
|
|
|
BB1866 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6845.JPG
|
|
|
BB1865 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6839.JPG
|
|
|
BB1864 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6835.JPG
|
|
|
BB1863 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6834.JPG
|
|
|
BB1835 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6374.JPG
|
|
|
BB1834 - Silver-washed Fritillary
DSC_6365.JPG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution |
|
 |
| The general outlook is good for the Silver-washed Fritillary which has faired well during the last three decades with a small expansion in its range. Its distribution will always be dependent upon the availability of suitable habitat. |
|
 |
|
| Where to see the Silver-washed Fritillary |
The general outlook is good for the Silver-washed Fritillary which has faired well during the last three decades with a small expansion in its range. Its distribution will always be dependent upon the availability of suitable habitat.
Key sites for the Silver-washed Fritillary include:
Warwickshire: Ryton Wood Wappenbury Wood
Cumbria: Howe Riding Wood
Dorset: Stubbhampton Bottom Alners Gorse
Northamptonshire: Fermyn Wood
|
|
| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Silver-washed Fritillary is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  down by -14% |
(1976-2004)  up by 33% |
|
|
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
species of conservation concern (link) |
|
|
| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 least concern4 |
|
|
3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Silver-washed Fritillary can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
|
|
|
|
Aberrations and Forms |
|
|
| We currently know of 13 named aberrant forms of the Silver-washed Fritillary. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. albomaculata - Goodson (1959) |
|
| ab. calidegenita - Stauder (1921) |
|
| ab. confluens - Spuler (1901) |
|
| ab. immaculata - Bellier (1862) |
|
| ab. lutea - Reuss (1916) |
|
| ab. nana - Stephan (1923) |
|
| ab. nigricans - Cosmovici (1892) |
|
| ab. ocellata - Frings (1902) |
|
| ab. subtusaurea - Reuss (1923) |
|
| ab. subtuscoerulea - Reuss (1923) |
|
| ab. valesina-eudora - Fischer (1915) |
|
| ab. valesina-udei - Reuss (1926) |
|
| form. valesina - Esper (1800) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
|
|
|
|
69-80mm
