Black Ringlet vs Common Brassy Ringlet

Erebia melas compared with Erebia cassioides

Key Differences

• Black Ringlet is Near Threatened while Common Brassy Ringlet is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black Ringlet	Common Brassy Ringlet
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order same	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family same	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus same	Erebia	Erebia
Species	Erebia melas	Erebia cassioides

Evolutionary Relationship

Black Ringlet and Common Brassy Ringlet share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Erebia.

Conservation Status

Black Ringlet

NT — Near Threatened

Common Brassy Ringlet

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black Ringlet	Common Brassy Ringlet
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Ringlet

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (10 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Common Brassy Ringlet

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Italy.

Black Ringlet

The Black Ringlet (Erebia melas) is a species in the genus Erebia. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Common Brassy Ringlet

The common brassy ringlet (<em>Erebia cassioides</em>) is a butterfly species endemic to high-altitude mountain environments of central and southern Europe, with documented occurrences in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Italy. This species typically inhabits all terrestrial and freshwater environments within its alpine range, favoring subalpine and alpine grasslands at elevations often exceeding 1,500 meters. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting a currently stable population status. As a member of the family Nymphalidae, the common brassy ringlet often feeds on grasses and sedges during its larval stage, while adult butterflies are typically found nectaring on alpine flowers. The species is often associated with calcareous grasslands and rocky slopes, where it can be seen flying in warm, sunny conditions during the summer months. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇬 Bulgaria