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#365DaysWild, British butterflies, butterflies, butterfly, fritillaries, Silver-washed fritillary
As well as the endangered High brown fritillaries and their cousins the Dark greens, Friday’s butterflying day out also turned up a couple of these beauties, the equally glorious members of the family, the Silver-washed fritillaries (Argynnis paphia).
If you’re wondering how an orange-and-black-patterned butterfly got the name silver-washed, it’s because the underside of its wings are streaked silver. Unfortunately, my photos don’t show that very clearly … next time.
Some of the names do seem very random, in my opinion. The butterflies are, however, still beautiful.
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I read a fascinating book earlier this year about how things are named – I think your ‘random’ is entirely correct for many species!
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