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Erebia euryale

Large Ringlet

Field Notes

Valais, Switzerland, July 2006

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, July 2001

Piedmont, Italy, June 2003

E Switzerland, July 2003

This is widespread on the mountains of central Europe. In the eastern and southern Alps it can be abundant in June, July or August depending upon season, altitude and location. It is found at fairly low levels up to 2000m or more. I've found it most common in the range of 1300 to 1800m in Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Its distinctive features are the chequered fringes and the small white pupils of the upperside black spots. These pupils are often absent altogether which separates it on the upperside from the Arran Brown, E. ligea. The undersides are quite different between these two species though so it should be possible to separate them in the field.

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