Insect
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Size
60–67 mm wingspanAbout the width of a smartphone screen
Weight
0.3 gLighter than a paperclip
Lifespan
One generation a year; adults fly for around 6 weeks in summer
M vs F
Females are slightly larger and duller than males, with a more rounded wing shape
Habitat
Sunny, bracken-covered slopes and woodland edges with sparse grass and Common Dog-violet
Best time
Late June–July
Conservation
UK: Red
EN
💡 Did you know?
St Brides Major and the nearby Alun Valley are now the very last place in Wales where this butterfly survives — every summer sighting here matters
Caterpillars depend entirely on violets, especially Common Dog-violet growing among dead bracken litter on sheltered, south-facing slopes below 300m
Often confused with
Dark Green Fritillary (lacks the row of brown spots on the underside)
Silver-washed Fritillary (larger
more streaky)
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