Erebia alberganus

Valais, Switzerland, July 2007

Valais, Switzerland, June 2004

Almond Eyed Ringlet
Erebia alberganus

Distribution: Confined to Europe. It is principally an Alpine species (France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria) also from the mountains of central Italy and some mountains of the northern Balkans. There is conflicting information about its presence in NW Spain. It flies from around 1000 to 2200m.

Identification: One of the more distinctive Erebias, but care is needed as always. The orange (or red or creamy) spots are elongated ovals (almond shaped), clearly not round. It is also a large Erebia. The colouration and markings are however very variable.

Flight time: Flying from mid June and throughout August. One of the first ringlets on the wing following the Woodland, Bright-eyed and de Prunner's Ringlets (E. medusa, oeme and triaria).

Habitat: Grassy places, often lush, usually amongst scrub or woodland. Larvae take various grasses.

Behaviour: A frequent visitor to flowers.

Additional notes: Actually rather difficult to photograph.