Almond-eyed Ringlet (Erebia alberganus)
Arran Brown (Erebia ligea)
It is not certain whether this species was a resident in the UK but if did; it was not in any great numbers.
Historical specimens from the Isle of Arran in Scotland (1803) of the similar Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops); which is resident, include a few specimens of Erebia ligea. The location of these provided the Arran Brown with its English name.
The possibility of this species being British at all is questionable, however a single specimen was discovered in the King Collection of the University of Glasgow; included in the draws of Mountain Ringlets.
At least half of these insects were collected from moutains, east of Bride of Orchy, Argyllshire, Scotland between the years 1880 and 1914.
The indigenous UK sub-species of this butterfly became extinct and so did later introductions of its cotinental counterparts which have all failed. Although the species was never widespread, it is believed that its former range also included Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk and Somerset.
This species was first listed within the UK in 1667 but became entirely exinct from our shores in 1925.
It held on during the final years in the South-East of England, around the Kent area. Generally considered a rare butterfly in the UK its populations were sparsely populated; different to the continent where butterflies can still be seen in nuerous numbers.
![Large Copper [Reared] - Female - © Pete Withers](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6dead5_539d1bd81d714d228c9d2123df213305.png/v1/fill/w_138,h_96,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/6dead5_539d1bd81d714d228c9d2123df213305.png)
Large Copper
(Lycaena dispar)
Black-veined White
(Aporia crataegi)
Butterfly Species (Migrant & Extinct)
There are several species of butterfly that the UK has lost over the centuries and many others that naturally visit our shores almost every year in varying numbers, there are however, a larger list of species that do not migrate here naturally but have been recorded; almost certainly by means of rear and release by breeders.
Extinct- 6 species
There is a total of 6 species of Butterfly that according to historical records and reports have later become extinct in the UK. In alphabetical order, these include:
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Arran Brown (Erebia ligea)
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Almond-eyed Ringlet (Erebia alberganus)
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Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi)
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Large Copper (Lycaena dispar)
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Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros)
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Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus [Cyaniris] semiargus)
Migrant however the increase in recent UK sightings suggests a possible recolonisation may already be taking place; especially on the Isle of Wight and South Coast of England.
Last Period of comparative abundance was late 1940's. Periods of extreme scarcity have been seen in the past but the in the last 55 years there have been very little sightings.
Second half of 20th century: Unstable Colonies, seen in 1's or 2's.
Oldest record of this species in the UK dates back to 1710
Occasional Migrant Now. Years of scarcity were interspersed with years of apparent profusion but following a series of poor summers and severe winters in the early 19th Century many species went into a decline and during this period the already localised species; The Mazarine Blue was lost.
There are historic records from atleast 24 English and Welsh vice-counties.
Large Tortoiseshell
(Nymphalis polychloros)
