Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Tribe: Argynnini
Genus: Argynnis
Subgenus: Mesoacidalia
Species: aglaja
Key ID Features:
Fulvous-orange male is strongly marked with black on the forewings. White margins to trailing edges of fore and hindwings.
Bolder crescent-shaped submarginal spots and rounder forewings than High Brown Fritillary.
Underside of hindwing is predominantly green (with no red) and large silver spots.
Seen in UK: June-August
The Dark Green Fritillary is the most widespread fritillary found in the British Isles and is a pleasure to see as it flies powerfully over its grassland habitats, frequently stopping to nectar on Thistles and Knapweed. It gets its name from the green hue found on the underside of the hindwings, which are peppered with large silver spots. This butterfly can be found throughout the British Isles, although it is less common in central and eastern England. Outside of central Scotland and southern England, it is most frequently found in coastal areas and is the only fritillary found in Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. Despite its powerful flight, it is somewhat surprising that this species is not particularly mobile, staying within its breeding grounds.
Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
