Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja ssp scotica
At the end of a long walk (largely involving getting lost) in the Culbin Forest the butterflies started to appear when the sun came out. This one was much darker than the usual southern Dark Green Fritilllaries and later I found that in Scotland the species is represented by sub species scotica. The differences can be minor but are more often seen in colouring and patterns of the under wings.
The larval food plant of the southern ssp aglaja is Viola riviniana (Common Dog-violet) but in Scotland where there are more soggy bits Viola palustris (Marsh Violet) is commoner and the Scottish Dark Green Fritillary caterpillars prefer this plant.
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| Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja ssp scotica |
Culbin Forest, Morayshire, Scotland 27th July 2009
Added on 14th July 2010