Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia

Habitat

The Silver-washed Fritilary is quite common in large broad-leaved woods in southern England but has declined over the last century, particularly from the north and east. In the East Midlands region it is seen sporadically and was not recorded in 2007 or 2008.

Identification

The Silver-washed Fritilary is a large, distinctive fritillary with golden-brown wings and black markings on the upper wing, but is differentiated from other fritillaries by the subtle silver markings on the underside.

Flight times

There is a single generation flying between mid June and early September.

Food plants

Eggs are laid singly in a crevice on the trunk of oak trees close to growth of Common Dog-violets.

Silver-washed Fritilary
Silver-washed Fritilary - © Eliot Taylor

Distribution Maps

2005-2009
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2005-09
2010-14
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2010-14
2015-19
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map comparison of 2015-19
2005-2019
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map comparison of 2005-19

During this fifteen year period, the Silver-washed Fritillary has expanded widely over all three counties from a handful of records in the first five years.

2015
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2015
2015 Summary
No of tetrads 27
First sighting 04/07/2015
Last sighting 04/09/2015
2016
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2016
2016 Summary
No of tetrads 20
First sighting 25/06/2016
Last sighting 14/09/2016
2017
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2017
2017 Summary
No of tetrads 43
First sighting 08/06/2017
Last sighting 27/08/2017
2018
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2018
2018 Summary
No of tetrads 70
First sighting 22/06/2018
Last sighting 29/08/2018
2019
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2019
2019 Summary
No of tetrads 69
First sighting 20/06/2019
Last sighting 30/08/2019
2020
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2020
2020 Summary
No of tetrads 58
First sighting 28/05/2020
Last sighting 14/08/2020
2021
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2021
2021 Summary
No of tetrads 67
First sighting 07/07/2021
Last sighting 05/09/2021
2022
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2022
2022 Summary
No of tetrads 73
First sighting 21/06/2022
Last sighting 01/09/2022
2023
Silver-washed Fritilary distribution map 2023
2023 Summary
No of tetrads 67
First sighting 06/06/2023
Last sighting 21/09/2023

Photo Gallery