Mountain Ringlet

The Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron) is a fascinating, small, and hardy butterfly with several unique characteristics, particularly in Scotland. It is often referred to as the UK’s only truly alpine or montane butterfly species, as it is found exclusively at high altitudes. 

Here are some interesting facts about the Mountain Ringlet in Scotland:

• Only True Montane Species: The Mountain Ringlet is the only butterfly in the UK that is restricted to mountain habitats, usually found at altitudes between 350m and 900m in Scotland.

• Glacial Relict: It is believed to be one of the first butterfly species to colonize Britain after the last ice age, making it a "living fossil" of the post-glacial landscape.

• "Sun-worshipper": Adults are highly active only in bright sunshine, often feeding on nectar from flowers like Tormentil or Heath Bedstraw. If it is cloudy or windy, they hide low to the ground in grass tussocks.

• Incredibly Short Life Cycle: The adults often live for less than a week, with their sole purpose being to mate and lay eggs.

• Hardy Larvae: While the adults are delicate, the caterpillars are tough, capable of surviving one or even two winters on bleak, snow-covered mountainsides, feeding on Mat-grass (Nardus stricta).

• "Fighting" Males: Because they are so localized and the flight period is short (usually late June to early August), males are often seen battling each other for the attention of females.

• Elusive and Rare: They are very hard to spot due to the remote, steep, and often cloudy nature of Scottish mountains. They are mainly found in the southern Monadhliaths, the Ben Nevis and Mamores ranges, and the Glencoe area.

• Climate Change Vulnerability: Research suggests that due to global warming, these butterflies are being forced to move roughly 200 meters higher up the mountains over the last 40-50 years, restricting their habitat as they run out of mountain peak.

• Distinctive Behaviour: They fly low to the ground, usually around 30cm above the vegetation, to avoid being spotted by birds.

How to find them in Scotland:

Look for a small, chocolate-brown butterfly with orange-red bands and black eyespots on sunny days in July, especially on boggy patches of mountainside dominated by Mat-grass.