A breathtakingly beautiful butterfly and, although I might assert that I have no favourites, this is not entirely true. The underside is characteristic and unlike any other fritillary with large silver “mirrors”. 

The size can vary enormously between the sexes, the female as usual being much larger, and also between broods. The rather square wing shape is also unlike any other. It has a wide altitude range and is often found at very high altitudes and sometimes at temperatures that seem far too cold for any butterfly.

In the UK, it has in recent years started to become a regular visitor and there is a possibility that it might start to breed on the south coast and become established as a resident. Despite its powerful migratory instincts, there had only been 500 recorded sightings in the UK.

observations

a male, despite the darkness of the markings and the body shape.

a male, at the other end of the scale, quite lightly marked.

a male.

a male, almost identical to 20790.

a female, I think, based on the more extensive uph basal suffusion.

 a female, very strong orange and big bold black markings, plus extensive basal suffusion on both upper wings. A magnificent butterfly.

a very dark male, the deep red setting off the silver mirrors to good effect.

a female, showing the unh silvery mirrors.