Winter Ant vs Bright-eyed Ringlet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Winter Ant Bright-eyed Ringlet
Scientific Name Prenolepis imparis Erebia oeme
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Formicidae Nymphalidae
Size 3-4 mm 32-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Mountains
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Alps, Carpathians, Balkans
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Winter Ant

A small brown ant unique for being most active during cold months when other ants are dormant. Replete workers store liquid food in distended abdomens for the colony.

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Did You Know?

They hold their nuptial flights in late winter or early spring, sometimes walking over snow to mate.

Bright-eyed Ringlet

A dark brown ringlet with prominent white-pupiled eyespots. It frequents damp, grassy slopes in subalpine and alpine zones.

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Did You Know?

Its bright eyespots likely serve to startle predatory birds.