Chapman's Ringlet
Common NameChapman's Ringlet
Scientific NameErebia meolans
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)44
Primary Colorsdark brown, orange, black, white
HabitatGrassy slopes, open woodlands, clearings, subalpine meadows
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe (including parts of France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and the Balkans)
Host Plantsgrasses, Festuca, Poa
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on grass blades. Larvae feed on various grasses and overwinter, typically pupating on the ground among vegetation. It is univoltine, producing one generation per year.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the dark brown ground color contrasting with the prominent orange submarginal band on both wings, which contains distinct black eyespots with white pupils. The number and size of eyespots can vary, but the strong orange banding is characteristic.
Description
A medium-sized dark brown butterfly characterized by a broad orange band on both forewings and hindwings, each band containing several black eyespots with white centers.
