Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia (Valezina) 1 of 2
It is a rare thrill to come across a 'valezina' type of female Silver-washed Fritillary. Valezina famales were once thought to be confined to the New Forest but are principally found from Dorset to the west Weald of Surrey accounting for between 5% and 15% of female Silver-washed Fritillaries. This beautiful valezina flew across my path before settling briefly at the back of a shadier bramble patch in my local Hampshire wood, her exquisite upperwings showing the characteristic dusky greenish sheen. Their avoidance of sunny clearings and rides and preference for shady woodland may, it is suggested, (Thomas & Lewington : The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland) be because they are more prone to overheating. In accordance with this theory, it was also a cloudier day when I saw this one flying.
Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia (Valezina) 1 of 2
It is a rare thrill to come across a 'valezina' type of female Silver-washed Fritillary. Valezina famales were once thought to be confined to the New Forest but are principally found from Dorset to the west Weald of Surrey accounting for between 5% and 15% of female Silver-washed Fritillaries. This beautiful valezina flew across my path before settling briefly at the back of a shadier bramble patch in my local Hampshire wood, her exquisite upperwings showing the characteristic dusky greenish sheen. Their avoidance of sunny clearings and rides and preference for shady woodland may, it is suggested, (Thomas & Lewington : The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland) be because they are more prone to overheating. In accordance with this theory, it was also a cloudier day when I saw this one flying.