Silver-washed Fritillary
Argynnis paphia
This record describes Argynnis paphia (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The female is slightly less colourful than the male which has more curved wings, is brighter orange and has dark bands across its forewings, actually scent marks. Woodland clearings, especially where violets are present in numbers. Like many other similar species its caterpillars eat violets. The Silver-washed Fritillary lays its eggs on a nearby tree, and the caterpillars make their way to the foodplant when they hatch next spring. Widespread in the southern half of Britain, but not particularly common.
Wikipedia reference for Argynnis paphia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argynnis paphia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Heliconiinae
- Tribe
- Argynnini
- Genus
- Argynnis (Greater Fritillaries)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland clearings, especially where violets are present in numbers.
Seasonal Activity
June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Like many other similar species its caterpillars eat violets. The Silver-washed Fritillary lays its eggs on a nearby tree, and the caterpillars make their way to the foodplant when they hatch next spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in the southern half of Britain, but not particularly common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Argynnis paphia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Silver-washed Fritillary (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver-washed Fritillary
What is Silver-washed Fritillary?
Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Silver-washed Fritillary found?
Habitat: Woodland clearings, especially where violets are present in numbers.
When is Silver-washed Fritillary active?
Silver-washed Fritillary: seasonal activity - June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Silver-washed Fritillary?
Like many other similar species its caterpillars eat violets. The Silver-washed Fritillary lays its eggs on a nearby tree, and the caterpillars make their way to the foodplant when they hatch next spring.