Erebia from Swiss Alps

[David M]

Just had this in from someone who visited Switzerland this July.

It resembles what he was told it was but the specimen differs from the depiction in Tolman & Lewington.

Could anyone provide helpful information?

[John Vergo]

Hi David
For me it looks like a Erebia gorge ( Silky Ringlet)

[Padfield]

I agree - the jizz immediately says gorge. The position of the single spot on the forewing is perhaps a little odd. When there is just the upper one, as here, it is usually more central in the red band (the oblique slant outward to the lower one is characteristic when two are visible) but this is not in any way decisive. It just looks a little odd.

The only other slim possibility is tyndarus - another extremely variable butterfly. The broad band on the hindwing of the butterfly in this thread makes tyndarus unlikely. Gorge commonly has a broad hindwing band.

Without seeing the underside or having seen the butterfly in flight, I'd plump for gorge - with considerable confidence that no one will easily prove otherwise!

Guy

[David M]

Many, many thanks for this, Guy. I thought as much.

The individual was told it was a Mnestra Ringlet but although I couldn't see any obvious alternatives (Silky Ringlet having many different forms locally) I wasn't happy with the original prognosis.