Silver-washed Fritillary
Argynnis paphia
National Status
Butterfly of southern England and Wales, range expanding. Population trend 10 years to 2016 +6%; since 1976 +141%.
West Midlands Status
Most common in the south of the region, range expanding. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – increasing.
Silver-washed Fritillary was recorded in 123 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Broadleaved woodland especially oak (Quercus spp.). Mixed broadleaved and conifer woodlands used occasionally.
Caterpillar Food Plant
Various Violets
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Late June to early September.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 13 June | Littleover, Roger | 15 August | Chaplin, Vanessa |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Wyre Forest, Mortimer Forest, Wigmore Rolls, Shobdon Hill, Coppett Hill, Trench Wood, Grafton Wood.