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The silver-washed fritillary is a characteristic species of well-managed open woodlands in high summer. It is a large, graceful orange butterfly with an intricate pattern of black spots and lines on the upperwings. The underside of the rear wing is washed lime-green and pink, with silvery streaks running across it. The male has four broad, black stripes across the forewings. In southern England, a small proportion of females have wings that are bronze-green, known as the form valezina. The adult butterflies fly from late June to early September, feeding on flowers such as bramble.
The silver-washed fritillary is a low conservation priority. It is found across southern England and Wales and throughout Ireland. It declined during the twentieth century but in recent decades has become more widespread with a range expansion of 56% since the 1970s.
Woodland.
Woodland is important because it is one of our most complex habitats and as such, can support more wildlife than almost any other UK habitat. Ancient woodland which has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD is particularly important, but younger secondary woodlands and even conifer plantations can be important for nature if managed sympathetically.
Good management for this species will create/result in well-managed open deciduous woodland with sunny, flowery rides and glades. Such woodland will also provide habitat opportunities for many other butterflies, for example, wood white, speckled wood, pearl-bordered fritillary and gatekeeper, as well as many moths and woodland songbirds.
These illustrations are by an artist taking part in a programme delivered by Watts Gallery Trust and funded by the Michael Varah Memorial Fund. This series of 30 Surrey Hills Indicator Species were commissioned by Surrey Hills Society and funded by Surrey Hills Trust Fund as part of the Making Space for Nature Exhibition.