ID request Swiss Erebia

[Kip]

I am just back from the Haute Savoie and ventured into Switzerland occasionally. I took this photo on 8th August at the Barrage de la Grande Dixence, 2360 m, in the company of tyndarus - my query is... could this be mnestra, or possibly pharte or is it more likely a spotless tyndarus....

[Roger Gibbons]

It looks brassy and the red post-discal band looks to be the right shape for tyndarus, so that looks the percentage shot even in spite of the absence of ocelli.

I have seen tyndarus with very small ocelli: https://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/htm ... nd_22Jul10_
So yours, Kip, is not so far removed.

I have heard it said that species of brassy ringlet do not fly together and if that is true, then I think you are sufficiently east to be in tyndarus rather than cassioides territory.

Guy would know, so maybe he will pick up this thread.

Roger

[Kip]

Thanks Roger,
I think that's exactly what Guy will say.. lots of other tyndarus there, so it was the Brassy on the site, and the orange markings don't really fit mnestra, request was more for confirmation.... interesting individual though. Love your photos, as always
Paul

[Kip]

I would also like an opinion on this one.... I think it is consistent with lycaon, Dusky Meadow Brown, taken at 1950m at Barage d'Emmoson. It didn't behave quite like jurtina and never settled wings open...

[Roger Gibbons]

I would think this is almost certainly lycaon.
Roger

[Kip]

Brilliant... a second new species photographed whilst away, pronoe being the other one.