RINGLET

The little rings on the underside of the wings give the ringlet butterfly its name.

The markings on the topside of the wings are rather fainter so that it looks as if it is made of dark brown velvet with a white edge.  The colour fades to a lighter brown as they age.

Photos: Alan Watts

They are only around from June till August so  catch them while you can - not literally of course.  Even trying to catch them on camera is harder than it seems.  Although their flight seems rather weary and hesitant, I can never get close to them before they flutter on again and disappear in the grass.

It's coarse grasses that the caterpillars feed on.  Ideal grazing for them at Filnore Woods.  They hibernate through the winter and have a ten month caterpillar-life before pupating and then emerging as adult butterflies the following summer.