Spring ringlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spring ringlet |
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The Spring Ringlet (Erebia epistygne) is a beautiful butterfly. It belongs to the Nymphalidae family, also known as brush-footed butterflies. You can find this special butterfly in parts of France and Spain. It loves to live in temperate grassland areas.
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Meet the Spring Ringlet Butterfly
The Spring Ringlet butterfly is known for its unique look and where it lives. It is a medium-sized butterfly. Its front wings are about 22 to 25 millimeters long. This makes it roughly the size of a large coin.
What Does the Spring Ringlet Look Like?
The Spring Ringlet butterfly has wings that are mostly a coffee-brown color. The edges of its front wings near the body can look a bit grey.
On its front wings, you might see a light yellow spot. There is also a wide, light yellow band near the outer edge. This band is divided by darker lines, which are the veins of the wing. Inside this band, there are usually 5 or 6 black spots. These spots have tiny white centers, like little eyes. Some of these "eye spots" near the top are larger and joined together.
The hindwings (back wings) have 4 or 5 oval-shaped reddish spots. Each of these spots also has a small black "eye spot" with a white center.
The underside of the front wings is reddish. The hindwings underneath are grey-brown. They have a darker band in the middle. Female butterflies look very similar to males. However, their ground color might be a bit lighter. Also, the spots on their hindwings are more reddish-yellow instead of russet-red.
Where Does the Spring Ringlet Live?
This butterfly lives in specific areas of Europe. You can find the Spring Ringlet in southern France. It also lives in the Basses Alpes region of France. In addition, it is found in central and southern Spain. It prefers open, grassy areas where it can fly freely.
What Does the Spring Ringlet Eat?
Like many butterflies, the Spring Ringlet has a special diet when it is a caterpillar. The young caterpillars mostly eat a type of grass called Festuca ovina. This grass belongs to the Poaceae family, which is the grass family. Sometimes, they might also eat other types of Festuca or Poa grasses.
When Can You See the Spring Ringlet?
Adult Spring Ringlet butterflies are usually seen flying from March to May. This is why it is called the "Spring Ringlet." They are active during the spring months.
Why is the Spring Ringlet Important?
The Spring Ringlet butterfly is facing challenges. It is considered a "Near Threatened" species. This means its numbers are decreasing. The main reason for this is severe habitat loss. The grasslands where it lives are disappearing. Protecting these natural areas is very important to help the Spring Ringlet survive.
