Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina laying eggs

Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia f. valesina

To  view  a  Slideshow,  click  here  then  choose  Fullscreen  (top  right)

Yesterday I visited Southwater Woods after reading John Williams' report of a Silver-washed Fritillary form valensina, which is white instead of orange. I saw two Purple Emperors, one flying at the top of the master oak by Trout Lane and another cruising fast just above the path at the Marlpost Road end. Small Whites were laying, White Admirals fluttered. Ringlets, Commas, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns and an occasional Marbled White passed me. I was talking to two enthusiasts from Eastbourne when a Holly blue fluttered by. There were plenty of Silver-washed Fritillaries rushing around. 
Then I saw what looked like a large Speckled Wood fluttering around in the dappled woodland. Curious, I followed it and when it settled and opened its wings I realised it was the SWF valensina form that I had been seeking! Like John, I had not expected it to be so dark in flight. This white form is only found in the female and she proceeded to land on the trunks of oaks and lay eggs. There was plenty of the larval foodlpant, Wood (Dog) Violet, Viola riviniana, near the base of the trees. The valensina laying eggs was an exciting and wonderful discovery.

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina egg laying

Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina

Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina

Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina egg laying

Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina egg laying

Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina

oak on which eggs were laid

oak on which eggs were laid

Wood Violet, Viola riviniana, larval food-plant of Silver-washed Fritillary

Small White, Pieris rapae

Small White, Pieris rapae laying eggs

Small White laying with egg showing

Small White egg