Pyrenean Ringlets

[Robin]

Hi,

Having sorted through all the ringlet photos we took it seems that we only saw a couple of species, so, am I correct in identifying these as both Piedmont?

Piedmont Ringlet (Gavarnie 04-07-08)-5585.jpg (139.54 KiB) Viewed 357 times

Piedmont Ringlet (Gavarnie 04-07-08)-5630.jpg (119.48 KiB) Viewed 357 times

I think that these two are both Bright-eyed:

Bright-eyed Ringlet (Pyrenees 4.7.08) pat -5010.jpg (83.21 KiB) Viewed 356 times

Ringlet sp (Gavarnie 04-07-08)-5591.jpg (136.09 KiB) Viewed 356 times

I think that this is also Piedmont, but could it just be Lefebvre's?

Ringlet sp (Pyrenees 4.7.08) pat -5126.jpg (84.76 KiB) Viewed 356 times

Guy, thanks for your prompt response on the previous posts,
Robin

[Padfield]

I think you are right with all of them - the last one being Piedmont.

I agree it's very tempting to wonder about Lefebvre's for the last one, but it does fit Piedmont better. Here is a rather similar male Piedmont uns from the Val:



The eye-spots are pushed against the outer edge of the red, which itself is quite clearly demarcated, but they don't actually burst out of it.

Here is a male Lefebvre's ringlet, also from the Val:



The eye-spots are positively bursting out of the red band - they are almost unnaturally close to the edge of the wing. The band is also less clearly demarcated.

Lefebvre's flies at altitude (above about 2000m) over rather inaccessible scree. If that is the sort of place you were I shouldn't rule out the species, but on the strength of this picture Piedmont is the natural conclusion (as you indicated).

I did hesitate about the first picture because there are certainly bright-eyed ringlets in the Pyrenees that look very close to this one. But in the end I agree with you - Piedmont!

Guy