Erebia aethiopellus (Hoffmannsegg, 1806)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on grasses of low production. Festuca paniculata is mentioned in literature. I do not think that that large species is the main host plant. On the Col d'Allos I recorded oviposition near and on Festuca cf. scabriculmis, a small species of low-growing, steep pastures. In rearing (potted mixed Festuca and other grasses) this species was preferred, but also other Festuca and other grasses (Poaceae and Cyperaceae) have been accepted.

Habitat:
Erebia aethiopellus occurs in the upper altitudes of the southwestern Alps usually in steep, nutrient-poor, low-growing, mossy or lichen-rich and not intensely grazed pastures and grasslands which may be interspersed by rocks and open ground (which is not necessary in naturally very low-growing places), but which do not represent scree, bare rock or other extreme sites (even if such sites may be adjacent).

Life cycle:
The adults occur in July and August. They visit flowers like yellow Asteraceae, Thymus or others often only shortly and are quite shy, especially in hot sun. The females are more quiet and fix their eggs singly on grasses, mosses or lichens near the ground. The larva should hibernate mostly in the second instar and is mature in early or mid-June. While younger larvae are always brownish, mature ones can also be green. Pupation occurs within a webbing in the litter or most often in lower parts of grass tufts (rearing observations).

Remarks:
Erebia aethiopellus is restricted to the southwestern Alps above 1800, but especially above 2100 m asl. It is especially found in the southern French Alps in the departments Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes-De-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes, but is reputedly also locally found northwards to Savoie. It is also recorded from adjacent Italy (Piemont), but more locally than in France and only quite near the French border.