Silky ringlet (erebia gorge)
2008 photos highlighted green. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 13312_male_Valais, Switzerland_20Jul08 | 13247_male_Valais, Switzerland_19Jul08 | 13254_male_Valais, Switzerland_19Jul08 |
A very variable high-altitude erebia species, with several distinctive but very different forms. I only saw gorge once in 2007, then a life-tick, but there were many more at the same site in 2008. However, according to T&L, the nominate form occurs in southern Switzerland, where all of the above were seen, and this has twin small upf ocelli, which 13312 clearly does not and 13247 has only one. The form erynis has no ocelli and thus matches 13312 but occurs (according to T&L) in the French Alps, so the appearance and range do not match. However, this species is highly variable, so no real conclusions can be drawn from a limited example.
13312: a male, unmarked except for a truly minuscule pinprick ocellus in s4. The marginal mark on the hindwing is I believe a shadow rather than a missing chunk.
13247: a male, with a single ocellus and a dark appearance, although brassy at the margins.
13254: a male underside, highly variegated making for good camouflage. The photo looks out of focus, but isn't.
13312_male_Valais, Switzerland_20Jul08
13247_male_Valais, Switzerland_19Jul08
13254_male_Valais, Switzerland_19Jul08
