Provence Short-tailed Blue vs Mountain Ringlet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Provence Short-tailed Blue | Mountain Ringlet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cupido alcetas | Erebia epiphron |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 32-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central and southern Europe | Mountain ranges of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Scotland, Lake District) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (vulnerable to climate change) |
Provence Short-tailed Blue
One of Europe's smallest butterflies with violet-blue males and dark brown females. It lacks the tail projection of its close relative the short-tailed blue.
Did You Know?
Males gather in large puddle clubs on damp ground to drink mineral-rich water.
Mountain Ringlet
A small dark brown butterfly with orange-ringed eyespots found only at high altitudes. In Britain it is the only truly alpine butterfly, flying above 500 metres.
Did You Know?
It only flies in sunshine and immediately drops into the grass the moment a cloud covers the sun.