Sunday, 18 July 2021

Silver-washed Fritillaries

 

A visit to Bishop Wood near Selby revealed several stunning Silver-washed Fritillaries, flying along the rides and nectaring on the thistles. This species was extinct in Yorkshire by about 1950 but a range-expansion in Britain has led to more frequent records in the county again, with Bishop Wood being one of the most reliable spots to encounter this species. They are similar to the much more familiar Dark Green Fritillary, but have silvery white stripes on the underside of the hindwing as opposed to spots, as shown by these pics. Quiet in the woods otherwise, although plenty of Broad-leaved Helleborines along the shadier rides and lots of biting mozzies!



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