DARK GREEN FRITILLARY |
ARGYNNIS AGLAJA |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 58 - 68mm. The male is a rich orange with
variable dark spots amidst a series of dark edged veins.
There is always an arc of post-discal spots on the hindwing with the
central one more often than not usually smallest. The female is lighter
in colour and has a series of paler spots around the margin of each wing
as shown above. CHRYSALIS: 19mm. Reddish brown to black with a curved
abdomen. Located deep within grassy tussocks and violet
clumps. LARVA: 38mm. When young the caterpillar is pale-yellow but
after hibernation and when fully grown it becomes spiny, velvety,
purplish black with red flank spots and white specks. EGG: Yellow at first then acquiring purple marks,
conical. Located on violets especially common dog, hairy and
marsh. Hatching time within 18 days. BEHAVIOUR: A strong, fast and direct flyer with males that patrol
their territory constantly. Several quick wingbeats and a swift
glide are distinctive of the males flight with the females being more
fluttering as they seek out nectar rich flowers. HABITAT: Dunes, rough grassland, heathland and moors. FLIGHT PERIOD: July - August. |