Scotch Argus

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Erebia aethiops

Common in the Scottish Highlands & a few parts of Northern England.

The mature Caterpillar is yellow brown, with a brown head. 

The Larvae feeds on Purple Moor-grass in the Scottish Highlands & Blue Moor-grass in Northern England.

The background colour of the wings varies from dark brown to black brown, with reddish-yellow bands, black eyespots with white pupils and greyish wing fringes, weakly chequered in the Females.

On the forewing there are three or four eyespots, usually two apical plus a third detached, while on the hindwings there are four or five.

The underside of the hindwings shows a whitish or cream banding but there is a slightly marked sexual dimorphism.

Flight period is July-August.