Mountain Cicada vs Sooty Ringlet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Cicada Sooty Ringlet
Scientific Name Cicadetta montana Erebia pluto
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Cicadidae Nymphalidae
Size 20-26 mm body length 36-44 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Mountains
Diet Sap Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, British Isles, Central Asia Alps
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Mountain Cicada

One of the few cicadas found at high elevations in Europe. Males produce a high-pitched continuous song from treetops.

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Did You Know?

Its song is so high-pitched that many people cannot hear it.

Sooty Ringlet

One of the darkest European butterflies, almost entirely black. It inhabits the highest scree slopes and rock faces in the Alps.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly black wings help absorb solar radiation for warmth in its frigid habitat.