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dark green fritillary   <>   argynnis  aglaja   <>   fritileán dúghlas 

 


© DHardiman 2003  

Habitat:  The main habitat of the Dark Green Fritillary is coastal sand dunes and rough open hillsides inland.
It is single brooded.
Larval Food Plant:    Violets Viola spp.
Flight Time:  End of June to early September
Hibernation:  Overwinter as a larva.
This butterfly is a fast flier.  It may be distinguished from the Silver-washed Fritillary by the convex outer margins of the forewings and by the dark apple-green colour and silvery spots on the underside of the hindwings.
 

 

   Dark Green Fritillary                   ©DHardiman

 

                                                                                                     

                                                                                   Life Cycle of  the
Dark Green Fritillary

 

Ovum:
This conical shaped egg measuring c.1.0 mm tall is yellow when first laid and develops purple bands in time.
It is deposited near to, or on,  violet  plants in sheltered places in July and August,  hatching in c.20 days.

Dark Green Fritillary ovum on Moss prior to hatching. © DHardiman 2002

Dark Green Fritillary ovum on Violet leaf  ©DHardiman 2002

  Ovum on Moss      Ovum on Violet leaf
                                      prior to hatching.

Larva:
The fully fed larva reaches c.38 mm in length.  Its body is velvety-black and speckled white especially on the 
dorsal surface.  There are dorsal and lateral branched black spines and a distinct row of  8 bright red spots 
along each side below the level of the spiracles.  Shiny black head.

© DHardiman  2003 



The newly hatched larva  after eating its eggshell immediately goes into hibernation.  
It overwinters at the first instar among leaf  debris at the base of  its foodplant.  As soon as spring warmth 
arrives the tiny larva commences maturation and feeds on the fresh growth until it reaches full size about
late May.  This larval stage lasts from August to May or June.

 

Pupa:
Pupation takes place completely hidden in dense vegetation about late May and lasts for  3-4 weeks.  The pupa is  
suspended in a loosely constructed tent-like structure of spun leaves low down among vegetation.

 

© DHardiman  2003 

 

Adult:
The butterfly emerges from mid-June onwards and is on the wing until mid-September.  During this time 
feeding,  mating and ovipositing takes place.  

Dark Green Fritillary              © DHardiman

 

 

 Contents ]

 SmallTortoiseshell ] Peacock ] Pearl-borderedFritillary ] [ DarkGreenFritillary ] Silver-washedFritillary ] MarshFritillary ] 

Hesperidae ] Pieridae ] Lycaenidae ] Nymphalidae ] Satyridae ] Migrants ] .