The Scotch argus (Erebia aethiops) is a Palaearctic butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It has a wide range including the French Alps, Germany, Balkans, Apennines, Asia Minor, the Urals, Caucasus, and Sajan.

In Europe and Russia, it is a forest edge butterfly found up to 2400 m and flying June to August. The hibernating larva is reported to feed on Agrostis, Dactylis, Poa, and other grasses.

Taxonomy

The Europe subspecies is the nominate aethiops. The Caucasus subspecies is melusina Herrich-Schaffer, . In Scotland, the sub-species caledonia has a narrower reddish yellow band and never contains more than three small eye spots.

Britain

English colonies are found at Arnside Knott and Smardale Gill both in Cumbria. It is found in most of northern Scotland, and in western areas in south Scotland. In spite of its English name argus, it is no relation of the brown argus nor the northern brown argus.


Egg


Caterpillar


Pupa


E. a. caledonia
Argyll, Scotland


source - Wikipedia