| British Butterflies: Species: Species Account - The Ringlet: |
Ringlet
Aphantopus hyperantus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Nomenclature
Insecta: Lepidoptera : Family Nymphalidae: Subfamily Satyrinae : Genus Aphantopus: Species hyperantus: |
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Description
The uppersides of a freshly emerged Ringlet have a velvety appearance almost black in colour... fringed with white. Two small dark brown/black eye spots occur on the forewings with another two spots occur on the hindwings level with the tip of the abdomen although these spots can vary or be completely absent in some individuals.
It is however the highly variable small eyespots/circles on the underwings which give the Ringlet its name. These spots conisist of a pale brown/tan outer ring black within, with a central white spot. They vary in number and size and may be enlarged, stretched or reduced to small white spots, sometimes lacking the black ring.
Adult butterflies will fly even in dull weather, cloudy conditions or light rain when most other butterflies are inactive. They are commonly encountered nectaring on Bramble and Wild Privet flowers. |
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Habitat
Tall lush grassland which occurs in damp locations partial shade on heavy soils especially in woodland rides. The butterfly also occurs on commons, road verges, disused railway lines and riverbanks on clay soils. |
Distribution
This widespread butterfly has extended it range in England and Scotland in recent years. It is absent on the Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. |
Where to see the Ringlet in the British Isles
This widespread butterfly has extended it range in England and Scotland in recent years. It is absent on the Isle of Man and Northern Scotland. |
Lifecycle chart
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Flight chart
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| The lifecycle and flight charts should be regarded as approximate guides to the Ringlet in Britain. Specific lifecycle states, adult emergence and peak flight times vary from year to year due to variations in weather conditions. |
| IUCN category status 2010 5 |
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IUCN category status 2007 34 |
 --awaiting data--
5Fox, R., Warren, M., Brereton, T. M., Roy, D. B. & Robinson, A.
(2010) A new Red List of British Butterflies. Insect Conservation and Diversity.
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 Least Concern
3Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4More information about IUCN categories. |
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Wingspan
42-52mm |
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UK status
Resident |
Larval foodplants
Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), Common Couch (Elytrigia repens), and various species of Meadow Grass (Poa spp.) are used although it is thought that many other species of grass may also be used. |
Butterflies of Britain ID Chart
Your personal guide to British Butterflies. This 8-panel laminated chart is designed for speedy butterfly identification in the field. Ideal for anyone interested in identifying butterflies, perfect for children and adults and ideal for outdoor use, laminated, shower-proof and robust. |
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Online store
Visit our online store for many more butterfly related books and gifts. |
Population trends 1
UK Population trend 1995-2004  up by 33%
UK Population trend 1976-2004 up by 373%
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M. (2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
UK BAP status 2
UK BAP status not listed (link)
2For information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, visit the JNCC web site jncc.defra.gov.uk. |
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National Biodiversity Network Gateway Distribution
Map
Areas in  and  indicate a contraction in distribution of the Ringlet except in Ireland where data is only available up until 1999.
* Records shown in  outside the natural distribution may be the result of illegal or accidental releases by breeders or, depending upon the species, migrant individuals from mainland Europe.
Key to map*
= 2000 to 2010 inclusive (current distribution)
= records from 1950 to 1999 inclusive
= records from 1900 to 1949 inclusive
Records prior to 1st January 1900 are not shown.
The NBN Gateway records are shown on the map right. (See terms and conditions).
More data is available on the Ringlet on the NBN Gateway web site. 
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References
For full details of books and reports mentioned on this web site, view the references page.
Find out more online*
Ringlet can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site.
Ringlet can be found on Matt Rowlings excellent European Butterflies web site.
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| Photographs of the Ringlet |
Aberrations and forms
There are 11 named aberrant forms of the Ringlet currently listed. Find out more about aberrants here.
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| ab. cabeaui - Pionneau 1929 |
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| ab. chrysophalarus - Collier 1967 |
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| ab. crassipuncta - Burkhardt 1948 |
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| ab. infra-pallida - Lempke 1935 |
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| ab. lanceolata - Shipp 1894 |
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| ab. marpurgensis - Strand 1919 |
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| ab. pallens - Schultz 1908 |
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| ab. pseudoocellatus - Bergman 1952 |
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