(Esper, 1805)
Large Ringlet
Description:
The Large Ringlet occurs in light woodland, in grassy clearings in woods, and above the tree-line on grassland with rather tall vegetation. In the Jura Mountains, these butterflies can be found at the edge of raised bogs, and at an altitude of 1000 m, also in light, damp woods. The Greek populations also seem to prefer damp places. Both the males and females visit flowers for their nectar and the males can often be seen drinking on damp ground or on dung.
Various grasses are used as food plant, including Blue Moor-grass (Sesleria albicans), Wood Meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), Sheep's-fescue (F. ovina), Calamagrostis varia, and also sedges (Carex spp.).
It takes two years for the development from egg to butterfly.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Mixed woodland
Coniferous woodland
Similar species:
Erebia ligea