Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus

Scientific Name: Aphantopus hyperantus (Nymphalidae Satyrinae).

English Name: Ringlet (Brush-footed butterfly family, Browns sub-family).


French Name: Le Tristan.

5 Key Characters:

• underside has a series of black 'eye's, with white 'pupils' and outlined by yellow.
• medium sized (45 - 53 mm wingspan).
• brown.
• upperside with some tiny black dots showing through the brown.
• found in damp habitats.
  

Lookalikes: None in the Touraine Loire Valley or Brenne.


Habitat: Woodland edges, hedges, damp heaths, damp grassland (bocage) and woodland clearings. Avoids dry habitats. Often observed on brambles. Will fly in overcast or even rainy weather.


Flight Period: May-June-July-August-September.


Caterpillar: Host plants grasses (Tor Grass Brachypodium pinnatum, Festuca guestfalica) and sedges.


Status: Very common especially in wet years.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature: