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Comparison of Hypocysta species

On this page, differences in the underside pattern of the four species of Ringlet (Hypocysta) living in the Sydney area are shown and explained. There is another very similar species in northern NSW and QLD, the Orange-streaked Ringlet (Hypocysta irius), which is not shown here.

Photo Description
Hypocysta metirius

Brown Ringlet (Hypocysta metirius)

  • Underside colour red-brown.
  • Orange subterminal band on the hind wing, not extending beyond the upper eyespot. Faint continuation of the band across the fore wing.
  • Usually 2 large eyespots and 1 small eyespot on the hind wing, 1 small eyespot on the fore wing.
Hypocysta pseudirius

Grey Ringlet (Hypocysta pseudirius)

  • Underside colour grey-brown.
  • Orange subterminal band usually on the hind wing only, extending just beyond the upper eyespot.
  • Usually 2 moderately large eyespots and up to 3 small eyespots on the hind wing, no eyespots on the fore wing.
Hypocysta adiante

Orange Ringlet (Hypocysta adiante)

  • Fore wing underside colour orange-brown to orange, hind wing underside colour orange-brown.
  • Orange subterminal band on the hind wing only, extending just beyond the upper eyespot.
  • Usually 2 large eyespots and 1 small eyespot on the hind wing, no eyespots on the fore wing.
Hypocysta euphemia

Rock Ringlet (Hypocysta euphemia)

  • Underside colour orange-brown to orange.
  • No distinct orange subterminal band on the hind wing, but several dark lines running across both the fore wing and hind wing.
  • 2 large eyespots and 1 small eyespot on the hind wing, 1 small eyespot and 1 large, almost entirely black eyespot on the fore wing (partly obscured in the photo).