Ringlet butterfly

Aphantopus hyperantus

family - Satyridae (Browns)

Image of Ringlet butterfly

The Ringlet butterfly is brown/dark chocolate brown in colour. There are 5 rings on the underside of the hindwing.


My personal observations of the Ringlet butterfly

months seen in my garden: July

garden plants that attract this species: none

Butterfly sightings 2005:

Ringlet, 26 June
Ringlet, 16 July
Ringlet on Ragwort in Overley Wood, 31 July (wings open)
Ringlet on Ragwort in Overley Wood, 31 July (side view)
Ringlet on Agrimony in Overley Wood, 31 July (wings open)

Butterfly sightings 2004:

thumbnail link to image of Ringlet butterfly Ringlet on Knapweed, 1 July

thumbnail link to image of Ringlet butterfly Ringlet on Knapweed, 1 July

thumbnail link to image of Ringlet butterfly Mating pair of Ringlet butterflies, 1 July

thumbnail link to image of Ringlet butterfly Two Ringlet butterflies on Bramble, 1 July

A memorable digital image from 2003:

thumbnail link Female Ringlet. 27 July

Slides from 2003:

Ringlet butterfly On Nettle. Hetty Pegler's Tump, Uley, Gloucestershire. July 12.

Ringlet butterfly Sapperton Valley, Gloucestershire. June 21.

Past Images:

thumbnail link On Clover along the farm track behind my house. 6 July 2002.

thumbnail link On Ragwort. In my Wiltshire garden. 18 July 1999.

observations:

Ringlet butterfly visits to the garden are rare. No cultivated flowering plant appeals to their taste.

Reference Section

Size: 48mm slightly smaller than the Small White - see list of butterflies by size)

First Generation flight period: June-August

Identified by the 5 spots on the underside of the hindwing.

Habitat: Hedgerows, woodland edge
Larval Food Plants: Grasses
Wild Nectar Plants: Ragwort, Clover, Yarrow

Family Group: Satyridae - see list of butterflies by family

This page last updated: 9 December, 2005