A Ringlet resting at Ryton Wood Nature Reserve SSSI © 2017 - 2022 Steven Cheshire.
The uppersides of a freshly emerged Ringlet have a velvety appearance, almost black in colour, fringed with white. Two small dark brown/black eye spots occur on the forewings with another two spots occur on the hindwings level with the tip of the abdomen although these spots can vary or be completely absent in some individuals.
Adult butterflies will fly even in dull weather, cloudy conditions or light rain when most other butterflies are inactive. They are commonly encountered nectaring on Bramble and Wild Privet flowers.
Tall, lush grassland which occurs in damp locations partial shade on heavy soils, especially in woodland rides. The butterfly also occurs on commons, road verges, disused railway lines and riverbanks on clay soils.
The larvae of the Ringlet feed on a variety of grasses including Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) and Meadow Grass (Poa spp.).
See maps below. Distribution text required.
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