Argynnis paphia (Linnaeus, 1758)  
Silver-washed Fritillary, Kaisermantel, Tabac d'Espagne, Перламутровка пафия, Պաֆիա

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is a common and variable butterfly found over much of the Palearctic ecozone – Algeria, Europe, temperate Asia and Japan. The subspecies, which inhabits Armenia is not yet clarified - either A. p. argyrorrhytes Seitz, [1909] or A. p. delila Röber, 1896. The Silver-washed Fritillary inhabits mostly deciduous forests and woodlands from 1000 to 2300 m a.s.l. The species uses various Viola spp. as a host plant. The butterflies are on wing from early June till early September in one generation.

Population dynamics:
The species is slightly uncommon within typical habitat and shows stable population trend in 2003-2013 (p<0.05) although distinctly its abundance is lower in degraded forests. It is possible that larger time span is needed for determination of population changes for this species. 

Conservation measures: 
The species is not included in the Global and National Red Lists, as well as in CITES and Bern Conventions, but is evaluated for the European Red Book as Least Concern. For Armenia the same status is proposed, however it is important to note the necessity of its monitoring as the indicator which can show the forests' general condition. Other than that there is no need for conservation measures, especially taking into account that the species' range is covered by number of Protected Areas, Emerald Sites, and Prime Butterfly Areas.

Photo: S. Andreev