High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)
below Col Lacroix, Queyras
Text coming soon!
Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas Mont Viso, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes (both photos)
This species is described in the British Butterflies - Fritillaries section of the site.
Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
below Col des Champs, Alpes Maritimes
Common in many warm habitats across France and the rest of central and southern Europe, the Knapweed Fritillary is one of the most brightly-coloured fritillaries in summer alpine meadows.
It is easy to distinguish from other members of the genus by its yellow and orange colouration and its conspicuously large lunule on the upper side of the forewings.
It is easy to distinguish from other members of the genus by its yellow and orange colouration and its conspicuously large lunule on the upper side of the forewings.
Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
below Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
This species is described in more detail in the Butterflies of Spain - Nymphalids section of the site.
Shepherd's Fritillary (Boloria pales)
Col de la Bonette, Mercantour PN, Alpes Maritimes (all photos)
See below for identification features. I find this species and the Mountain Fritillary very, very confusing, so these photos could well be B.napaea.
Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)
female
female nectaring on Phyteuma, Refuge Agnel, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes (all photos)
As its common name suggests, this is a subalpine and alpine specialist in southern parts of its European range, although it is found at lower altitudes in Scandinavia. In France it is only found in the Alps and Pyrenees.
A key features to look out for in this species is the linear shape of the black submarginal spots on the upper forewings. Females also have a distinctive green-violet sheen. In other respects, the species looks very similar to Shepherd's Fritillary (B.pales).
A key features to look out for in this species is the linear shape of the black submarginal spots on the upper forewings. Females also have a distinctive green-violet sheen. In other respects, the species looks very similar to Shepherd's Fritillary (B.pales).
Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania)
Col de Tende, Alpes Maritimes
The broad white band on the underside of the hindwings makes this common species easy to identify. It is very widespread in Europe, second only to the Small Heath in its distribution. It can be found across all of France and is another species that is sadly absent from Britain, despite it being found only 20 miles way in the Pas-de-Calais!
Alpine Heath (Coenonympha gardetta)
Refuge Agnel, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
As its name suggests, this is an exclusively montane butterfly, endemic to the Alps and mountains in the former Yugoslavia.
Like other Heath species, the underwings show the key identifying features and are easily seen, as the butterflies rest with wings closed. The white band covers the spots in this species, unlike all the other European Coenonymphas and the small eye-spots are boldly ringed in black.
Like other Heath species, the underwings show the key identifying features and are easily seen, as the butterflies rest with wings closed. The white band covers the spots in this species, unlike all the other European Coenonymphas and the small eye-spots are boldly ringed in black.
Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
The large eye-spot on the forewings, coupled with pale yellowish-brown underwings help identify this rather localised butterfly which, in France, is restricted to the south-eastern corner and Corsica.
It inhabits scrubby and dry, grassy places up into the subalpine areas. In Europe, the Dusky Heath is most widespread in Iberia, with outlying populations in Italy and those in France. It is also found in northern Africa.
It inhabits scrubby and dry, grassy places up into the subalpine areas. In Europe, the Dusky Heath is most widespread in Iberia, with outlying populations in Italy and those in France. It is also found in northern Africa.
Arran Brown (Erebia ligea)
below Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
The Arran Brown has an unusual European distribution, being very common across Scandinavia and having a separate, disjunct distribution from south-east France through central Europe into the Balkans. Despite its English name, it is totally absent from Britain and certainly is not found on the island of Arran in Scotland!
The Arran Brown is very similar to its close cousin, the Large Ringlet (E.euryale). Both have distinctive chequered fringes on the wings (unique among European Erebia species) but to distinguish the two species, the underwings must be seen. The Large Ringlet has a more distinctive white, toothed margin to the yellowish postdiscal band, whereas E.ligea barely has a margin at all, just discrete white jagged marks.
The Arran Brown is very similar to its close cousin, the Large Ringlet (E.euryale). Both have distinctive chequered fringes on the wings (unique among European Erebia species) but to distinguish the two species, the underwings must be seen. The Large Ringlet has a more distinctive white, toothed margin to the yellowish postdiscal band, whereas E.ligea barely has a margin at all, just discrete white jagged marks.
Large Ringlet (Erebia euryale)
below Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
The Large Ringlet is described with the Arran Brown above. It shares a similar distribution in France, but is also found in the Pyrenees, unlike the Arran Brown. Despite its common name, the Large Ringlet is distinctly medium-sized and no larger than most other Erebias.
Bright-Eyed Ringlet (Erebia oeme)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas Mont Viso, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
This is a butterfly of damp habitats high in the mountains. Like many of our European Erebias, it is endemic.
Unlike the previous species described, the Bright-eyed Ringlet has a helpful common name! All the eye-spots have bright white pupils. The Woodland Ringlet (E.medusa) is very similar and is best distinguished by looking at the tips of the antennae, which are buff in medusa and black in oeme. Despite its common name, the Woodland Ringlet inhabits a wide range of damp places.
In the absence of being able to see the antennae, I've identified this individual as E.oeme, but it could be E.medusa.
Unlike the previous species described, the Bright-eyed Ringlet has a helpful common name! All the eye-spots have bright white pupils. The Woodland Ringlet (E.medusa) is very similar and is best distinguished by looking at the tips of the antennae, which are buff in medusa and black in oeme. Despite its common name, the Woodland Ringlet inhabits a wide range of damp places.
In the absence of being able to see the antennae, I've identified this individual as E.oeme, but it could be E.medusa.
Almond-Eyed Ringlet (Erebia alberganus)
Ecrins PN, Hautes-Alpes
Named for the lozenge-shaped orange spots on the upper- and underwings, this ringlet species is another European montane endemic. In France, it is found only in the Alps, but further afield it occurs in the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain (although, bizarrely, it is absent from the Pyrenees), the Italian mountains and the Balkans.
Identification of this species is easy - the orange band is broken into the 'almond' spots and the individual eyes are small.
Identification of this species is easy - the orange band is broken into the 'almond' spots and the individual eyes are small.
Piedmont Ringlet (Erebia meolans)
Ecrins PN, Hautes-Alpes
With one of the widest distributions of the montane Erebias in Europe, the Piedmont Ringlet is one of the more easily-found species. It occurs from northern Spain, thorugh much of south-eastern France and east, through the Alps in Austria and Italy.
Identification is through the two bold eye-spots near the tip of the forewings, which are not in a straight line with the two smaller eye spots below them. This separates it from the simlar De Prunner's Ringlet (E.triaria). It is also larger than many of the other montane species.
Identification is through the two bold eye-spots near the tip of the forewings, which are not in a straight line with the two smaller eye spots below them. This separates it from the simlar De Prunner's Ringlet (E.triaria). It is also larger than many of the other montane species.
Water Ringlet (Erebia pronoe)
track to Refuge de Carro, Vanoise PN, Savoie
The Water Ringlet has some of the most understated markings of the French Erebias - a feature that helps in narrowing down an identification. The upperwings have an orange patch, rather than a continuous band and there are only two eye spots.
The Water Ringlet is named for its preference for damp habitats. It is found from the Pyrenees to the Balkans, always at high altitudes.
The Water Ringlet is named for its preference for damp habitats. It is found from the Pyrenees to the Balkans, always at high altitudes.
Blind Ringlet (Erebia pharte)
Col du Galibier, Savoie
Named for the lack of eye spots on the wings, this upland species is restricted to the Alps in France. It is endemic to Europe, where it occurs along the whole chain of the Alps, with an outlying population in Tatra and Carpathian Mountains further east.
Key features for identiying the Blind Ringlet are the lack of eye-spots (a feature shared only with the Sudeten Ringlet, E.sudetica, Eriphyle Ringlet, E.eriphyle and Yellow-spotted Ringlet, E.manto), faint orange markings and unequally-sized orange spots on the hindwings.
Key features for identiying the Blind Ringlet are the lack of eye-spots (a feature shared only with the Sudeten Ringlet, E.sudetica, Eriphyle Ringlet, E.eriphyle and Yellow-spotted Ringlet, E.manto), faint orange markings and unequally-sized orange spots on the hindwings.
Silky Ringlet (Erebia gorge)
below Col Blanchet, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Named for the shiny appearance of the upperwings, the Silky Ringlet is a special butterfly to see. It reaches higher altitudes than any other ringlet species and frequents barren, rocky habitats like scress and moraines.
The broad orange band on the forewings with two white-pupilled eye-spots and the slight projection on the hindwings make identification easy.
This species is yet another European endemic, but has a wider distribution than most, occurring in all central and southern mountain ranges where the terrain is high enough. In France it is only found in the Pyrenees and Alps.
The broad orange band on the forewings with two white-pupilled eye-spots and the slight projection on the hindwings make identification easy.
This species is yet another European endemic, but has a wider distribution than most, occurring in all central and southern mountain ranges where the terrain is high enough. In France it is only found in the Pyrenees and Alps.
Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron)
Col du Galibier, Savoie
The only Erebia to occur in Britain (see here), the Mountain Ringlet is a commonly-encountered species in the French mountains.
Distinctive features are the large number of black spots on the upperwings and the orage band being broken into sections, rather than being continuous.
Distinctive features are the large number of black spots on the upperwings and the orage band being broken into sections, rather than being continuous.
Common Brassy Ringlet (Erebia cassioides)
below Col de la Bonette, Alpes Maritimes (this and previous photo)
underwing detail, Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Perhaps the most beautiful of the ringlets, the Brassy Ringlet is very well-named. In sunshine the iridescent sheen on the wings is very apparent and makes the species instantly-recognisable.
The only confusion is in areas where the segregate species also occur (Swiss, De Lesse's, Ottoman, Lorkovic's and Pyrenees). Of these, only Pyrenees and Ottoman are found in France, with old records of the Swiss Brassy Ringlet from the Swiss border. In the French Alps, the Common Brassy Ringlet is thus the only species that occurs. The Ottoman Brassy Ringlet is restricted to two sites in the Cevennes (its main area of distribution is in the Balkans).
The only confusion is in areas where the segregate species also occur (Swiss, De Lesse's, Ottoman, Lorkovic's and Pyrenees). Of these, only Pyrenees and Ottoman are found in France, with old records of the Swiss Brassy Ringlet from the Swiss border. In the French Alps, the Common Brassy Ringlet is thus the only species that occurs. The Ottoman Brassy Ringlet is restricted to two sites in the Cevennes (its main area of distribution is in the Balkans).
Marbled White (Melanarga galathea)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes (both photos)
This common species of warm, grassy habitats is described in the Butterflies of Spain - Nymphalids section of the site.
Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
below Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
The Meadow Brown is one of Europe's most widespread and common butterflies, and this is just as much the case in France as in Britain (you can see photos here).
In southern France, there is always the possibility of encountering one of its rarer cousins, but I've only ever found the 'standard' species!
In southern France, there is always the possibility of encountering one of its rarer cousins, but I've only ever found the 'standard' species!
Great Sooty Satyr (Satyrus ferula)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
This very attractive butterfly is instantly-recognisable, thanks to its sooty colouration and small but bold eye spots.
It is a butterfly of dry, rocky habitats at medium to high altitudes and is widespread across southern Europe, from the Pyrenees to Greece. In France, it is found in the Pyrenees, Massif Central and Alps.
It is a butterfly of dry, rocky habitats at medium to high altitudes and is widespread across southern Europe, from the Pyrenees to Greece. In France, it is found in the Pyrenees, Massif Central and Alps.