A blaze of orange, black, and silver, the Silver-washed Fritillary glides through Cornwall's summer woods and gardens. Look for this spectacular butterfly feeding on Buddleia and wildflowers from late June to early September, where ancient woodland and nectar-rich borders meet.
When the lanes are hazy with midsummer heat and Buddleia blooms lean heavy in the sun, a flash of brilliant orange can sweep through the garden like a fragment of sunlight. The Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) is Cornwall’s largest resident fritillary and one of its most spectacular summer visitors, a creature of both ancient woodland and nectar-rich gardens.
With a wingspan of 72–76mm, this butterfly is unmistakable. The upper wings are bright orange patterned with bold black spots, while the underside is a cooler greenish-brown, marked with the silver streaks that inspired its name.
Males are more intensely orange, with slender black “sex brands” — scented lines of androconial scales on the forewings used in courtship. Females are slightly paler, with rounder wings and more defined black markings. Both are equally graceful in their powerful, gliding flight.
In Cornwall, the Silver-washed Fritillary breeds only in broadleaf woodland — often ancient oak woods and sheltered valleys — where violets (Viola spp.) grow in dappled shade. The main larval foodplant here is Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana), with Heath Dog-violet (V. canina) also used locally.
After mating, usually in July, females lay eggs in bark crevices close to these violets, typically through July and August. The eggs hatch in late summer, but the young caterpillars soon enter hibernation, tucked away until spring.
Once on the wing from late June to early September, adults roam widely, patrolling sunny woodland rides and glades, drifting along hedgerows, and visiting gardens in search of nectar. Their peak flight in July and early August coincides with the full flowering of Buddleia (Buddleja davidii), whose fragrant purple spikes act like magnets.
They also nectar at bramble blossom, thistles, knapweed, lavender, valerian, betony, and other summer blooms — especially in sunny, sheltered spots. A Buddleia-rich garden close to woodland can be alive with fritillaries in warm weather, their large wings opening wide as they feed.¹
¹While Buddleia is a non-native shrub that can be invasive in the wild, it remains a valuable nectar source for butterflies when grown responsibly in gardens.
Within the woods, sunny glades and wide rides are vital. These open pockets provide warmth for flight, flowers for feeding, and space for courtship displays. Males patrol in broad looping flights, scanning for females who pause to bask or sip nectar. The glades also support violets on their edges, keeping the life cycle neatly bound together in one sunny-shaded mosaic.
In Cornwall, many well-managed woods maintain these open spaces — a sign of healthy woodland ecology. Without them, the fritillaries’ summer abundance would fade.
The county’s mild, moist climate stretches the flowering season for both nectar plants and violets, giving Silver-washed Fritillaries a long window for feeding and breeding. Ancient woodlands, sheltered valleys, and a rich network of gardens and hedgerows create corridors for their summer wanderings.
Threats remain — the loss of mature woodland, overgrown rides, or violet-rich edges can reduce breeding opportunities. Gardens rich in nectar help sustain adults, but without healthy breeding woods, local populations cannot persist.
On a summer walk in one of Cornwall’s woodland glades, you may see the Silver-washed Fritillary alongside other butterflies. Speckled Woods patrol sun-dappled rides, Peacocks and Red Admirals join in on the Buddleia, and the comma-shaped silhouettes of Commas dart between bramble flowers. In some woods, rarer fritillaries such as the Small Pearl-bordered may still appear, sharing space and sunshine with their larger cousin.
Changes in Cornwall’s climate can influence the timing of the Silver-washed Fritillary’s flights and the blooming of their foodplants. Warmer springs may bring earlier emergence, while mild autumns could extend the flight period.
These shifts can help — offering longer seasons — but they also risk mismatches if butterflies emerge before Buddleia or bramble are in full flower. Drought or extreme weather can shorten nectar availability, or limit violet growth in the woods.
The Silver-washed Fritillary is a butterfly of abundance — its size, colour, and energy embody the height of summer. In Cornwall, it bridges the quiet shade of the woods and the vivid bloom of garden borders. Protecting our ancient woodland and filling our gardens with nectar ensures that this midsummer jewel will continue to glide through Cornwall’s green and gold landscapes for years to come.
The Silver-washed Fritillary is Cornwall’s largest and most spectacular woodland butterfly, but in high summer it often ventures into gardens in search of nectar. Knowing when, where, and how to look will help you enjoy this striking species at its best.
The Silver-washed Fritillary breeds in ancient broadleaf woodland with sunny rides and glades, but adults roam widely to feed.
Best locations in Cornwall include:
In Cornwall gardens and woodland edges, these butterflies are most often seen on:
¹Buddleia is non-native and can be invasive in the wild, but is a valuable nectar source in gardens when managed responsibly.
