Black mountain ringlet butterfly (Percnodaimon merula)
Last Modified: 20-2-2024 21:10
© Christopher Cookson License this image
The black mountain ringlet butterfly or pepe pouri in te reo Māori (Percnodaimon merula) is a native butterfly found only in alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. The butterfly is moderately large compared to other common native butterflies, being a little larger than the introduced cabbage white butterfly, and having distinctive spots on its dark brown, almost black, wings. It can be found throughout Marlborough at higher altitudes, typically above 800m, on areas of scree. The adult butterflies are active during the summer months and are thought to live for up to about three years.
This example was observed on the Black Birch Range in the Awatere Valley.
Image Date: 15/12/2018
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.748501 Longitude: 173.785553