Butterflies are a beautiful and an important part of the UK’s wildlife. The swooping flight of this large and graceful butterfly is one of the most beautiful sights to be found in woodland during high summer. The Silver-washed Fritillary declined during the twentieth century, especially in England and Wales, but has spread noticeably during recent decades. Widespread across southern England and Wales.

The reason we have created our series of British butterflies, is to highlight their huge decline over the last four decades. The UK has 59 species of butterflies – 57 resident species and two regular migrants – the Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow. Five species of butterfly have become extinct in the last 150 years, including the Large Tortoiseshell. Over half of all British butterflies have been placed on the latest UK Red Extinction List of species. Furthermore, the latest red list assessment of butterflies published in May 2022 revealed 26% more butterflies are threatened with extinction.

Please follow the link below to find out more about the red list assessment, provided by the butterfly conservation org.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/half-of-british-butterfly-species-on-new-red-list

A further link to provide information and facts on the Silver Washed Fritillary

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/silver-washed-fritillary

We create these butterflies, once an order has been placed, so when we send out our metalwork it will be in the steel form (silver) ready to start rusting. The steel will start oxidising once out in your garden, creating a beautiful and natural rusty patina - it’s actually nice to watch!

Butterfly wing span approx 17cm

Total Height 90cm

Please note all sizes are approximate

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