Description
Although this large powerful butterfly is one of our most widespread Fritillaries its is rarely encountered except in suitable areas. It is very similar in appearance and size to the rarer High Brown Fritillary. The uppersides are a golden orange-brown colour with a pattern of black spots and crescents. The females tend to be paler in colour. Its name is derived from the colouration of the underside of its wings which a green leading to pale yellow-brown with pure white spots.
Butterflies from northern England and Scotland tend to be darker and more heavily patterned.
During hot sunny days the males fly constantly in search of females displaying a distinctive flight pattern of rapid wing beats followed by a fast smooth glide before yet more rapid wing beats. In order to get close to a Dark Green Fritillary, you should search for them basking in weak sunshine during the morning or evening. |
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Habitat
The Dark Green Fritillary can be found in a range of flower-rich grasslands with patches of scrub. They are present on coastal grassland and dunes chalk and limestone grassland and sometimes woodland rides and clearings. |
Distribution
The Dark Green Fritillary is sometimes abundant in some regions but in general it has declined dramatically, most notably in central and eastern England. |
Where to see the Dark Green Fritillary in the British Isles
The Dark Green Fritillary is sometimes abundant in some regions but in general it has declined dramatically, most notably in central and eastern England.
Key sites include:
Northumberland (Holy Island), Pembrokeshire (St David's Head / Whitesands), Gloucestershire (Prestbury Hill ), Dorset (Melbury Down NT) and Yorkshire (Scar Close NNR). |
Lifecycle chart
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Flight chart
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| The lifecycle and flight charts should be regarded as approximate guides to the Dark Green Fritillary in Britain. Specific lifecycle states, adult emergence and peak flight times vary from year to year due to variations in weather conditions. |
| IUCN category status 2010 5 |
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IUCN category status 2007 34 |
 --awaiting data--
5Fox, R., Warren, M., Brereton, T. M., Roy, D. B. & Robinson, A.
(2010) A new Red List of British Butterflies. Insect Conservation and Diversity.
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 Least Concern
3Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4More information about IUCN categories. |
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Wingspan
58-68mm |
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UK status
Resident |
Larval foodplants
The larvae feed on Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) Hairy Violet (Viola hirta) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris). |
British subspecies
 Argynnis aglaja ssp. aglaja (Linnaeus, 1758)
Occurs in England, Wales and southern Scotland.
Argynnis aglaja ssp. scotia (Watkins, 1923)
Occurs in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.The female tends to be darker than ssp. aglaja.
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Butterflies of Britain ID Chart
Your personal guide to British Butterflies. This 8-panel laminated chart is designed for speedy butterfly identification in the field. Ideal for anyone interested in identifying butterflies, perfect for children and adults and ideal for outdoor use, laminated, shower-proof and robust. |
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Online store
Visit our online store for many more butterfly related books and gifts. |
Population trends 1
UK Population trend 1995-2004  down by -10%
UK Population trend 1976-2004  up by 63%
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M. (2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
UK BAP status 2
UK BAP status not listed (link)
2For information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, visit the JNCC web site jncc.defra.gov.uk. |
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and 
indicate a contraction in distribution of the 
outside the natural distribution may be the result of illegal or accidental releases by breeders or, depending upon the species, migrant individuals from mainland Europe.
