Here’s a complete overview of the Ringlet butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus), a common but fascinating grassland species in Europe and parts of Asia:

**Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)**

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed butterflies)
Subfamily: Satyrinae (Browns)
Genus: Aphantopus
Species: A. hyperantus
Common names: Ringlet, Ringlet Brown

General Description

Wingspan: 42–52 mm.
Appearance:
- Upperwings: Dark chocolate-brown to almost black, with a velvety texture.
- Underside: Lighter brown with distinctive ring-shaped eye spots (ocelli)—typically 3–5 per hindwing and 2–3 per forewing. These rings give the butterfly its name.
- Seasonal variation: Summer adults are often darker and more strongly marked than spring broods in warmer regions.
Sexual dimorphism: Males are darker and slightly smaller; females show more prominent eye spots.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Flight period: June to August (one brood per year in most of its range).
Flight style: Slow, fluttering, often close to ground vegetation.
Activity: Active even on dull, overcast days—unlike many butterflies.
Feeding: Adults nectar on wildflowers such as bramble, thistles, knapweed, and meadow flowers.
Resting behavior: Often perches with closed wings, showing the eye spots for protection against predators.

Life Cycle

Eggs: Laid singly on grasses or dropped loosely among vegetation.
Caterpillar (larva):
- Green with faint stripes.
- Feeds on grasses such as fescues (Festuca), meadow grasses (Poa), and couch grass (Elymus).
- Overwinters as a small larva, resuming feeding in spring.
Pupa: Forms a chrysalis low down among grass stems, unprotected.
Adult lifespan: Typically 2–3 weeks.

Habitat

Prefers damp, shady meadows, woodland edges, hedgerows, clearings, and grassy rides.
Found from lowlands to upland areas where moisture is retained.
Strongly tied to grassland with tall vegetation.

Geographic Range

Widely distributed across Europe (except parts of the Mediterranean), through central Asia, reaching as far east as Siberia and Japan.
Absent from much of southern Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Ecological Role

Pollinator: Feeds on a wide range of wildflowers, contributing to meadow pollination.
Prey species: Eye spots help deter birds, but it is preyed upon by insectivorous birds, spiders, and predatory insects.
Grassland indicator: Its presence signals healthy, semi-natural meadows and woodland edges.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Population trends: Widespread and often abundant. Declines locally due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification.
Threats:
- Drainage of damp meadows.
- Overgrazing or intensive mowing of grassland.
Conservation measures: Maintenance of traditional hay meadows, field margins, and woodland rides supports populations.

Interesting Facts

The Ringlet often flies in poor weather conditions when other butterflies are inactive.
Its velvety dark wings absorb heat efficiently, helping it remain active in cool, cloudy climates.
The number and size of eye spots can vary greatly between individuals and populations.
Caterpillars feed at night and hide at the base of grasses by day.