The Scotch Argus is not a true Argus (Aricia) , but a Ringlet (Erebia) , more closely related to the Meadow Brown than the Brown Argus for example. It is one of the most widespread Erebia species and one of only two found in Britain, where it exists in the hills of northern England and Scotland. Unlike some of its relatives, it can be found at lower altitudes. In the Velebit Mts in Croatia it was common up to around 1400m, disappearing as I climbed higher where other Erebia species became more prominent.

Distribution: Scotland, NW England and from central France eastwards to Latvia in the north and Bulgaria in the south. In Italy and Greece only in the north and absent from Denmark and northern Germany.

Flight Period: Mid July-September in 1 brood.

Habitat: Woodland clearings and margins, lush grassland, moorland, heathland; from 300-1500m

Foodplants: Various grasses (Poaceae).

Nectar Sources: Thistles (Cirsium), scabiouses (Knautia), hawkweeds (Hieracium), thymes (Thymus), clovers (Trifolium)etc.

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