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Erebia flavofasciata

Yellow Banded Ringlet

Eastern Switzerland, July 2003

Male

Eastern Switzerland, July 2003

Female

Eastern Switzerland, July 2003

Male

Eastern Switzerland, July 2003

Badly worn male

Eastern Switzerland, July 2003

Female

This is a very local species found only in south eastern Switzerland and a small part of northern Italy. It also flies in neighbouring Austria. It flies quite high and prefers the warmer south facing grassy slopes. We found it in reasonable numbers on the Julier pass in 1997 but on the same date in 2003 it was completely absent. This was surprising as 2003 was an early season and I'd have expected it to be on the wing well before the 1997 date. We managed to find it nearby where it was indeed rather well advanced in its season, as can be seen from the worn specimens pictured above.

It is distinctive with a unique yellow band on the underside hindwing. This is punctured with small black spots. The yellow band is visible in flight which helps on the steeper slopes when ordinarily an exhausting climb would be required to identify it!