Photo © Pete Eeles

Mountain Ringlet

Erebia epiphron

Checklist Number
59.007 [B&F: 1617]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Nymphalidae
Subfamily:Satyrinae
Genus:Erebia
Species:epiphron
Authority:(Knoch, 1783)

A species of the mountains found in two main regions in the British Isles, in England in the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands with a few scattered colonies elsewhere, but absent from Snowdonia and the Pennines. In Europe found at altitudes up to 2700m.

While a difficult species to monitor given its remote habitats and elusive nature, it is known to have declined at several sites, possibly as a result of global warming, and is a priority species for conservation efforts.

Wingspan 35-38 mm. Larva feeds on Mat-grass.