This species is rare in the UK and is restricted to mountainous areas.

Statistics
Wingspan: 35mm.

Physical description
A small brown butterfly with a row of four or five dark brown spots surrounded by orange on each wing.

The caterpillar is short and green with lighter green lines down its sides and a dark green line along its back.

Distribution
They are found in mountainous areas across Europe. In Britain, the are restricted to the Lake District and Scottish Highlands.

Habitat
They can be seen in meadows in mountainous areas on sunny days.

Diet
The larvae feed on mat-grass (Nardus stricta).

Conservation status
The mountain ringlet is scarce in the UK and is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act preventing its sale. UK populations are restricted to the Lake District and the Highlands of Scotland. They are not listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List 2000.