Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)

Family: Nymphalidae Checklist: 59.019

 
Description
Wing span: 59-69 mm. This large orange and black butterfly makes an impressive sight as it glides over scrubby downland or coastal dunes. The female is larger and paler than the male. It is widespread and common in most of the British Isles. Its habitat is grassy, flowery slopes, clearings in light woodland, damp meadows and heaths. It is most abundant on calcareous soils.
 
Images (click to enlarge)
Dark Green Fritillary ♂ © David Hastings
Dark Green Fritillary ♂ underside © David Hastings
Dark Green Fritillary ♀ © David Hastings
Dark Green Fritillary ♀ underside © David Hastings
Male Male underside Female Female underside
 
Life Cycle
Adults generally emerge in the middle of June, reaching a peak in early July. There is one generation each year. The larva is the overwintering stage.
 
Larval Foodplants
The primary larval food plants are Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana), Hairy Violet (Viola hirta) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris).
 
Nectar Sources
Adults feed on thistles and knapweeds.
 
UK Conservation Status
Near Threatened
 
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 28th May
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 13th June
 
Species Champion
Rachel Wade
Email:
Reports
 
Distribution and Sites
 

Key
1 sighting 2-9 max seen 10+ max seen
This species is a habitat specialist. It can be found at these sites:
Berkshire
Greenham Common
Buckinghamshire
Bradenham
Buttler's Hanging
Calvert Jubilee
Ivinghoe Beacon
Yoesden Bank
Oxfordshire
Aston Rowant NNR
Aston Upthorpe Downs
Chinnor Hill
Hackpen Hill
Swyncombe Downs
Watlington Hill
Whitecross Green Wood

 
Related Species
All Species