Satyrids (Browns)
This family contains mainly brown and muted orange coloured butterflies with white-pupiled eye-spots, generally prominent at the tips of the forewings. The exception is the Marbled White which superficially appears to be closer related to the Pierid family. All caterpillars feed on grasses or sedges, are cryptically camouflaged and have tapering projections at head and tail. Chrysalises can be suspended or formed amongst moss and stones.
Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Maniolini
Genus: Aphantopus
Species: hyperantus

Key ID Features:
Upperside dark brown with pale eye-spots, clearer in the female.
Underside is paler brown with more prominent white or buff-ringed eye-spots.
The wings have continuous white fringe.

Seen in UK: June-August

This is a relatively common butterfly that is unmistakable when seen at rest - the rings on the hindwings giving this butterfly its common name. The uppersides are a uniform chocolate brown that distinguish this butterfly from the closely-related Meadow Brown. Despite this uniformity, a newly-emerged adult is a surprisingly beautiful insect, the velvety wings providing a striking contrast with the delicate white fringes found on the wing edges. The dark colouring also allows this butterfly to quickly warm up - this butterfly being one of the few that flies on overcast days.

Variation in this butterfly is primarily focused on the rings on the hindwings, the lanceolata aberration being particularly striking, where the rings are elongated to form teardrops. Other aberrations occur where the rings are greatly reduced or completely absent.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Maniolini
Genus: Aphantopus
Species: hyperantus

Key ID Features:
Upperside dark brown with pale eye-spots, clearer in the female.
Underside is paler brown with more prominent white or buff-ringed eye-spots.
The wings have continuous white fringe.

Seen in UK: June-August

This is a relatively common butterfly that is unmistakable when seen at rest - the rings on the hindwings giving this butterfly its common name. The uppersides are a uniform chocolate brown that distinguish this butterfly from the closely-related Meadow Brown. Despite this uniformity, a newly-emerged adult is a surprisingly beautiful insect, the velvety wings providing a striking contrast with the delicate white fringes found on the wing edges. The dark colouring also allows this butterfly to quickly warm up - this butterfly being one of the few that flies on overcast days.

Variation in this butterfly is primarily focused on the rings on the hindwings, the lanceolata aberration being particularly striking, where the rings are elongated to form teardrops. Other aberrations occur where the rings are greatly reduced or completely absent.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley