Polygonia c-album (Linn.) The Comma
p31. Resident, widespread and locally common. Save that it was apparently common in S.W.
Essex in the early 1800s, this species was known only as an occasional straggler to Essex before the
early 1930s when it began to colonise the County, a process which was completed by the mid-1940s *.
By then it was approaching general distribution and this status has been maintained although its
numbers fluctuate widely and in some years it is common or fairly common, at least over part of its
range, and in others decidedly scarce,
Boloria selene (D. & S.) (Clossiana selene) Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
p34. Formerly a very local resident; almost certainly extinct. This small fritillary was fairly
common at the turn of the century but its subsequent decline must have been rapid as it has since been
recorded from only two areas: at Little Leighs up to the mid-1930s and near Brentwood up to
1952*.
Boloria euphrosyne (Linn.) (Clossiana euphrosyne) Pearl-bordered Fritillary
p33. Formerly a local resident, now very rare. Formerly our commonest fritillary, being found in
well-wooded districts over much of the County, this species began to desert its traditional localities in
the 1950s and, with the one exception mentioned below, was last seen for certain (on Danbury Ridge
and in S.E. Essex) in 1968 *. 51 Hatfield Forest, one, late May 1982 (AJF).
Argynnis lathonia (Linn.) Queen of Spain Fritillary
pl31. No recent record. Formerly a very rare migrant, it was last seen, at Colchester, in
1918*.
Argynnis adippe (D. & S.) (A. Cydippe Linn.) High Brown Fritillary
p32. Formerly a local resident, now very rare ?vagrant. Already the most widespread of the large
fritillaries, this species extended its range in the late 1930s and early 1940s, by which time it was to be
found in most well-wooded districts. Its decline, first noticed in 1948, soon became general and
between 1960 and 1976 there was only one record - from Thorndon Park in 1966 *. 53 Rowney
Wood, two, 1977 (PB); 70 Danbury Ridge, 1984 (AF, GAP); 82 Markshall Wood, 1976, 1977
(PB).
Argynnis aglaja (Linn.) Dark Green Fritillary
p33. ? Resident, very local and rare. Formerly found in several widely scattered localities, it
appears that by the early 1950s this fritillary remained established only in the Brentwood area.
Subsequently single individuals were recorded in the same general area on three occasions between
1965 and 1971 *. 53 Wendens Ambo, 1984 (JLF); 82 Markshall Wood, 1977 (PB).
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