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Stygian Ringlet
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N Italy, June
2004 |
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N Italy, June
2004 |
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N Italy, June
2004 |
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N Italy, June
2004
Top half of the
"notch" is visible just above the hindwing in the red/orange
post discal area of the underside forewing. This feature separates styx
from the very closely similar Stygian Ringlet, E. stirius. |
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N Italy, June
2004 |
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| This seems to be a very local species
although it is supposedly widespread from eastern Switzerland and
neighbouring N. Italy across the Alps of southern Austria and Slovenia.
I've only seen it at 2 sites. My best site is very low at 300m where I
found it in mid June in 2003 and reasonably fresh at the end of June 2004.
I understand that this is exceptionally low and early, being more usually
found at Alpine levels but as low as 600m and usually not before the
beginning of July. It flies extremely locally at both places I've found
it, straying not one bit from the breeding ground. It may actually be more
accurate to say that it strays not far from patches of its habitat that
are flat enough for humans to cross as they live on very steep cliff faces
with patches of grass where presumably eggs are laid and left in peace. |
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