Great British Lepidoptera

Dark Green Fritillary

(Argynnis Aglaja)

A large, orange butterfly, the Argynnis Aglaja is one of Britain's most widely distributed Fritillaries, getting its common name from the olive-green colour suffused between the silver spots on the underside of the wings. Very similar in appearance, particularly the males, to the much rarer High Brown Fritillary. Distinguishing the two species can be difficult as in some areas, specifically Morecambe Bay, Dartmoor and the Welsh borders, both can be seen flying together, the latter however, has an extra row of orange-ringed ‘pearls’ on the underside of the hindwing. This feature is clearly visible when the butterfly is at rest or feeding with wings close on a nectar source.

Despite being so widespread, the Dark Green Fritillary has not escaped the declines that have faced many of our native species over the last century, particularly in recent years it has declined in many areas, notably Central and Eastern England.