The Silver-washed Fritillary is a large, pale orange butterfly, so-named for the silver streaks on its underside. Adults are on the wing throughout the summer from late June to the end of August. They live in large broad-leaved woodlands (especially Oak woodlands), and feed on flowers such as Bramble in sunny glades and rides. The caterpillars feed on violets, particularly Common Dog-violet.
The Silver-washed Fritillary is pale orange with an intricate pattern of black spots and lines on the upper wings. The underside of the rear wing is washed lime green and pink, with silvery streaks running across it. Fritillaries are one of the trickier groups of butterflies to identify; the Silver-washed Fritillary can be distinguished from the other large fritillaries by the pattern on its underside. The male also has four, very broad, black stripes across the forewings.
The Silver-washed Fritillary suffered declines in the 20th century but has been spreading in recent years.
This cache is a clip lock box. There is a FTF keyring for the First To Find. Please feel free to swap any item in the ‘cache but please remember, if you take something, leave something of equal or greater value in return.
Renumbered from 5 to 8 to create a more logical series around the forest
First To Find honours go to: Mackiespal
N.B. All the caches in this series have been granted permission to be placed by Joanne Mason, the Beat Manager for the forest, and written permission has been passed to the Reviewers. The Forestry Commission will not give permission for any more caches in these woods. Please do not ask the Reviewers to place any further caches as the FC will not allow it and placement of further caches will result in geocaching being banned in this area.