Ringlet

• Latin name: Aphantopus hyperantus
• Family group: Browns
• Countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
• Size: Medium

Resident

Range expanding.

When newly emerged, the Ringlet has a velvety appearance and is almost black, with a white fringe to the wings. The small circles on the underwings, which give the butterfly its name, vary in number and size and may be enlarged and elongated or reduced to small white spots; occasionally they lack the black ring.

Bramble and Wild Privet flowers are favourite nectar sources, and adults continue to fly with a characteristic bobbing flight in dull, cloudy conditions when most other butterflies are inactive.

This widespread butterfly has extended it range in England and Scotland in recent years.

Conservation status

• UK BAP status: not listed

• Butterfly Conservation priority: low
• European threat status: not threatened

European/world range

Across Europe except in central and southern Spain, Portugal, peninsular Italy, and northern Scandinavia, and extends eastwards across Asia to Japan. It is stable in most European countries, but its overall range appears to be shifting northwards.

Foodplants

Coarser grasses are used, including Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), Common Couch (Elytrigia repens), and meadow-grasses (Poa spp.). Other species of grass may also be used.

Habitat

Tall grassland is used, mainly in damp situations in partial shade on heavy soils where grasses are lush, especially in woodland rides and glades. The butterfly also occurs on commons, verges, and riverbanks, especially on clay soils. In northern areas, it is found in more open, less shady, situations.