Summer Fishfly vs Mountain Ringlet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Summer Fishfly Mountain Ringlet
Scientific Name Chauliodes pectinicornis Erebia epiphron
Order Megaloptera Lepidoptera
Family Corydalidae Nymphalidae
Size 25-40 mm 32-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Mountain ranges of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Scotland, Lake District)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (vulnerable to climate change)

Summer Fishfly

A medium-sized fishfly emerging in summer with distinctive dark-veined wings and feathery antennae. Larvae develop in muddy stream bottoms.

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Did You Know?

Unlike dobsonfly larvae that prefer fast-flowing water, summer fishfly larvae thrive in slow muddy pools and swamps.

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.

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Did You Know?

It only flies in sunshine and immediately drops into the grass the moment a cloud covers the sun.