# Scotch Argus (*Erebia aethiops*) The Scotch Argus is a beautiful butterfly with orange and brown wings. It loves to flutter around fields and meadows, bringing joy to everyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Scotch Argus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%28MHNT%29_Erebia_aethiops_-_Bossey_Haute-Savoie_France_-_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%28MHNT%29_Erebia_aethiops_-_Bossey_Haute-Savoie_France_-_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Scotch Argus has dark brown to black upperwings with distinct orange bands near the edges. These bands contain 3-4 prominent black eyespots, often with tiny white pupils, making it visually stand out from plain dark butterflies. Its underside is duller but features a similar pattern of eyespots. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Erebia ## Interesting facts - Female Scotch Argus butterflies often have brighter orange patches on their wings than the males! - Its caterpillars spend almost a whole year munching on grasses before transforming into butterflies! - Scotch Argus butterflies love sunny clearings and are mostly seen flying during the warm months of summer. - You'll often find this butterfly perching low on a grass stem with its wings completely closed. ## Special abilities - **Spotlight Deflector:** Scotch Argus has prominent eyespots that can trick predators into attacking its wings instead of its body, helping it escape. - **Cool Air Flyer:** Scotch Argus can fly comfortably in cooler temperatures, letting it thrive in upland habitats that other butterflies avoid. - **Solar Panel Wings:** Scotch Argus has dark wings that quickly absorb sunlight, allowing it to warm up fast and become active on chilly mornings. - **Grassland Ghost:** Scotch Argus can disappear into its grassy home by staying perfectly still and aligning its wings, a master of camouflage. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 18-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-21 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As caterpillars, they munch on grass; as adults, they sip sweet nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on various grasses, while adult butterflies feed on nectar from wildflowers. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, Cirsium arvense, Knautia arvensis, Molinia caerulea, Festuca rubra - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Purple Moor-grass (*Molinia caerulea*) — Larval food plant. - **Eaten by:** Red Fescue (*Festuca rubra*) — Another larval food plant. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adults collect nectar from its flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Field Scabious](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-scabious) (*Knautia arvensis*) — An important nectar source. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Scotch Argus? 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 Scotch Argus's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Scotch Argus? 18-22 mm ### How long does Scotch Argus live? 14-21 days ### What does Scotch Argus eat? As caterpillars, they munch on grass; as adults, they sip sweet nectar from flowers. ### Where is Scotch Argus usually found? Grasslands ### How does Scotch Argus hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Scotch Argus 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*) --- Source: [Scotch Argus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scotch-argus)