Lapland Ringlet vs Swamp Metalmark

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lapland Ringlet Swamp Metalmark
Scientific Name Erebia embla Calephelis mutica
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Riodinidae
Size 40-48 mm wingspan 22-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Wetlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia Upper Midwest United States, Great Lakes region
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened; extremely local

Lapland Ringlet

A dark brown butterfly with prominent yellow-ringed black eyespots on both wings. The flight is slow and bobbing close to the ground. It inhabits wet boggy areas in the boreal and subarctic zones.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly has a strict biennial cycle, with adults emerging only in odd or even years in any given location.

Swamp Metalmark

A rare and localized metalmark butterfly of midwestern wetlands with warm rusty-brown wings marked with fine metallic lines. It has very specific habitat requirements.

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Did You Know?

Some populations consist of fewer than 50 individuals, making it one of North America's most vulnerable butterflies.