Dark Green Fritillary - M or F?

[garrypogson]

I guess this is a female (Preston Hill, near Lullingstone, Kent 27.6.22). Not very orange, and with some quite pale edge markings. Could anyone confirm (or deny) please? thank you!

[millerd]

Hi Garry,

This looks like a worn male to me. The abdomen shape looks wrong for a female, and you can make out the thickened veins on the forewings that are the male sex-brands. This marking is not as accentuated on a male DGF as it is on a male Silver-washed, but it's still there. I'd guess the dullness of the colour is down to the age of the butterfly.

As ever, happy to be corrected!

Cheers,

Dave

[garrypogson]

thank you very much!