Argynnis aglaja (Linnaeus, 1758)  
Dark Green Fritillary, Grober Perlmutterfalter, Grand nacre, Перламутровка аглая, Ագլայա

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species  has a wide range in the Palearctic ecozone - Europe, Morocco, Iran, Siberia, Central Asia, China, Korea and Japan. In Armenia the subspecies A. a. ottomana (Röber, 1896) is presented, which inhabits mountain meadows and humid steppes from 1800 to 2400 m a.s.l. The host plants of the species are Viola canina and Viola montana. The Dark Green Fritillary gives one generation per year, the butterflies are on wing from late June until late August. 
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Population dynamics:
The species is slightly uncommon within its typical habitat, and demonstrates stable population trend from 2003-2013 (p>0.05), however the abundance of the species is significantly lower in the areas of degraded meadows. Thus the species could potentially suffer from overgrazing and uncontrolled mowing, and its population trend could supposedly show some decline if involves longer period. 

Conservation measures: 
The species is not included in the Global and Armenian Red Lists, as well as in CITES and Bern Conventions, although it was evaluated for European Red Book as Least Concern. Preliminary assessment of its national conservation status suggests it as Least Concern too, however with a reservation of continuation of monitoring, aimed at early identification of population changes, and development of conservation measures in accordance. At current the species' range is covered by many of Protected Areas and Emerald Sites, it is presented in the Prime Butterfly Areas Gnisheek, and Artanish-Shorzha. Populations of Southern Zangezur Mountains and southern macro-slope of Meghri Mountains require additional study as there is a hypothesis that those belong to vicariant species Argynnis alexandra. 

Photo: K. Aghababyan