ID Guide: Fritillaries

Dark Green Fritillary

Argynnis aglaja

Viewed from above, there is a line of chevrons along the edges of the wings.

Viewed from below, the wings are greenish with creamy edges and silver spots.

Wingspan: 58-68mm

Flight period: mid-June to mid-August

Suggested locations: Llanymynech Rocks, Shropshire Hills, Staffordshire Moorlands, Wardlow Quarry, Wyre Forest

High Brown Fritillary

Argynnis adippe

Viewed from below, there are extra orange-rimmed silver spots near the outer edges of the hindwings.

Wingspan: 60-67mm

Flight period: mid-June to mid-August

Suggested locations: no longer present in the West Midlands but a site remains in South Wales

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Boloria euphrosyne

Viewed from below, there is a pearl patch in the centre of the hindwing and another near the body.

Wingspan: 38-47mm

Flight period: late April to mid-June (overlapping but earlier than Small Pearl-bordred Fritillary)

Suggested locations: Ewyas Harold, Llanymynech Rocks, Malvern Hills

Silver-washed Fritillary

Argynnis paphia

Viewed from below, there are hazy silver streaks on the hindwings.

Wingspan: male 69-76mm, female 73-80mm (largest of these species)

Flight period: 

Suggested locations: Coppett Hill, Grafton Wood, Mortimer Forest, Shobden Hill, Trench Wood, Wigmore Rolls, Wyre Forest

Note: Females come in a valezina form, where the orange markings are greyish-green or greeny-brown, and this is quite commonly seen in our region.