(Freyer, 1834)
Stygian Ringlet
Description:
The Stygian Ringlet occurs on warm, steep, rocky slopes with grassy vegetation and sometimes scattered bushes, often on limestone. Its food plant is Blue Moor-grass (Sesleria albicans).
In Switzerland, it takes two years for the egg to develop into a butterfly. The tiny caterpillar goes into hibernation immediately after leaving the egg, only starting to feed the next spring. In the autumn, they again hibernate, pupating in June or July of the following year. In other areas at lower altitudes, they can complete their life cycle in one year.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Screes
Inland cliffs and exposed rocks
Similar species:
Erebia stirius
Erebia pronoe