Woodland Ringlet

Erebia medusa has a wingspan of 44–52 millimetres (1.7–2.0 in). The antennae are club shaped. Wings are dark brown. Forewings have an orange-yellow postmedian band, with two adjacent pupillated ocelli near the apex and one or two smaller ones. There are at least four bright orange ringed eyespots on the hindwing. The number of eyespots is rather variable. The two sides of the wings are similar. The female is generally paler than the male. The ribbed eggs are white or light green speckled with brown. The caterpillars are about 20 millimeters long, light beige or pale green with a dark dorsal stripe. The chrysalis is light brown.

This species is present in most of Europe, from France across central and eastern Europe to western Asia. These butterflies prefer clearings, grassy and humid wastelands, damp grasslands and moors and sunny forest edges, at an elevation of 300–2,300 metres (980–7,550 ft) above sea level.

Named in the Classical tradition. Medusa is the only mortal of the three Gorgon sisters. She is beheaded by Perseus.