Sea-Soul Bata
ეთიოპური შავტუხა / Erebia Aethiops
Erebia aethiops
The Scotch Argus is widely distributed in central and eastern Europe, but is absent from Ireland, Spain, Portugal, western France, peninsular Italy, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean region. Its range extends to northern Turkey and across temperate Asia to western Siberia.
The sexes are virtually identical on the upperside - males have a large patch of dark androconial scales on the forewings, but this can only be seen under certain lighting conditions. The underside hindwings of the male are dark reddish brown, with a broad grey post median band. In females the ground colour beneath is a paler earthy brown, banded with olive.
In mainland Europe there are several other Erebia species which closely resemble aethiops. These include ligea, euryale, medusa and triaria. The various species can be distinguished by examining the number and configuration of the ocelli. The patterns on the undersides also differ. A good field guide is essential for determination.
There are no similar species in Britain, although aethiops could be confused in flight with the Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus. The Arran Brown Erebia ligea is similar to aethiops but has prominent white markings on the underside hindwings. It was allegedly found in Scotland in the 19th century, but all records are regarded as highly dubious - unfortunately early entomologists often made false claims about the butterflies they collected, habitually importing European specimens and claiming they had captured them in Britain.
ეთიოპური შავტუხა / Erebia Aethiops
Erebia aethiops
The Scotch Argus is widely distributed in central and eastern Europe, but is absent from Ireland, Spain, Portugal, western France, peninsular Italy, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean region. Its range extends to northern Turkey and across temperate Asia to western Siberia.
The sexes are virtually identical on the upperside - males have a large patch of dark androconial scales on the forewings, but this can only be seen under certain lighting conditions. The underside hindwings of the male are dark reddish brown, with a broad grey post median band. In females the ground colour beneath is a paler earthy brown, banded with olive.
In mainland Europe there are several other Erebia species which closely resemble aethiops. These include ligea, euryale, medusa and triaria. The various species can be distinguished by examining the number and configuration of the ocelli. The patterns on the undersides also differ. A good field guide is essential for determination.
There are no similar species in Britain, although aethiops could be confused in flight with the Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus. The Arran Brown Erebia ligea is similar to aethiops but has prominent white markings on the underside hindwings. It was allegedly found in Scotland in the 19th century, but all records are regarded as highly dubious - unfortunately early entomologists often made false claims about the butterflies they collected, habitually importing European specimens and claiming they had captured them in Britain.