# Coenonympha

Coenonympha, also known as the ringlet butterfly, is a small butterfly that loves to flutter around grassy areas. They have beautiful brown wings with lovely eye spots that help them blend in with nature.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands
- **Also known as:** Ringlet Butterfly

![Coenonympha](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coenonympha_gardetta_darwiniana_01_%28HS%29.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Harald Süpfle, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coenonympha_gardetta_darwiniana_01_%28HS%29.JPG)

## Appearance

The Coenonympha is a small to medium-sized butterfly, typically brownish or orangish-brown with velvety wings. Many species have small, faint dark spots, sometimes ringed with a lighter color, on the underside of their wings near the edges, helping them blend into grassy habitats.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Lepidoptera
- **Family:** Nymphalidae
- **Genus:** Coenonympha

## Interesting facts

- Before flying, these butterflies spend months as tiny, munching caterpillars!
- Some Coenonympha caterpillars sleep through the entire winter buried in the grass. Wow!
- Their wings aren't truly brown, but covered in thousands of tiny, colorful scales!
- They can only live for about two weeks as beautiful adult butterflies.

## Special abilities

- **Grassland Camouflage:** Coenonympha can hide from predators because their brown, plain wings perfectly blend into tall grasses and dry leaves.
- **False Eyespots:** Coenonympha has small, faint 'eyespots' on its wings that might confuse predators into attacking a less vital part.
- **Foot Taster:** Coenonympha can taste flowers with its feet, helping them quickly find the best nectar sources for energy.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm
- **Size:** 15-20 mm
- **Lifespan:** 10-20 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Adult butterflies sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on various types of grass.

- **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat grass, while adults primarily feed on flower nectar.
- **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, grasses, sap
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds often prey on Coenonympha.
- **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar.
- **Eats:** [Orchard Grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orchard-grass) (*Dactylis glomerata*) — Larvae feed on grass leaves.
- **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders can catch adults.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

It's best to watch butterflies from a distance so they don't get scared.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Coenonympha?

Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Coenonympha's wingspan?

30-45 mm

### How big is Coenonympha?

15-20 mm

### How long does Coenonympha live?

10-20 days

### What does Coenonympha eat?

Adult butterflies sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on various types of grass.

### Where is Coenonympha usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Coenonympha hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Coenonympha have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Coenonympha: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coenonympha)