Hautes Alpes, France, July 2004

Male - distinctive sex brand on the forewing.

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2009

Field notes and information

A very local species that can be common where found. Only from southeast France and neighbouring Italy. I've found 2 colonies and at one of these they were common. Steep grassy slopes and a tendancy to hide low amongst the short grasses, photography was is difficult.

Identification & Similar species: One of 3 similar very species, the distributions of which do not overlap. The underside hindwing post discal band is dusted white and usually lacks spots on an otherwise uniform ground colour. The male upperside has a distinctive sex brand.

False mnestra ringlet E. aethiopella from the southern Alps of France from the Hautes Alpes and southwards.

Mnestra ringlet E. mnestra from the northern Alps of France from Haute Savoie and eastwards through Switzerland to western Austria.

Nichol's Ringlet E. rhodopensis which is sporadic on high mountains in Bulgaria, north Greece, FYROM.

Distribution & Flight: SE France north to the Hautes Alpes. Neighbouring Italian Alps. Flies in July.

Habitat & Behaviour: Very local on steep, warm open grassy slopes at high altitudes. Also grassy valleys with a few widely separated trees.

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2004

Female.

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2004

Male.

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2009

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2004

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2009

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2003

Male - distinctive sex brand on the forewing.

Hautes Alpes, France, July 2003