Blind Ringlet

E. pharte Hbn. (36 d). Shape and size as in melampus, the forewing however narrower, being more elongate, the apex not so much rounded. The yellowish brown distal band of the forewing is interrupted by the veins, extending usually close to the hindmargin, sometimes only to the centre of the wing. The hindwing has mostly 3—4 yellowish brown spots of different sizes, which are sometimes completely absent or are represented only by some small brown dots. On the underside, the band of the forewing is continuous and somewhat lighter yellow-brown than above, the disc being diffuse red-brown. The hindwing beneath dark brown in the male, the yellow-brown spots being the same as above, only being more prominent. In the lighter coloured female the underside is dusted with greyish yellow, especially at the costal and distal margins of the wings. In the higher Vosges and the Central Alps, especially in swampy meadows, rarely going above the tree -limit. — In ab. phartina Stgr. (36 d) the brown -yellow macular band of the forewing is represented by only 2 — 3 spots of different sizes; the hindwing has only some small obsolescent spots which may even be absent. Occurs singly among the name-typical form, especially at higher altitudes. …

The species is found in France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland.