The Ringlet is a very common butterfly, and can be seen in large numbers throughout Europe, (except extremes to the north and the south) throughout the summer, especially during July and August. It can be hard to tell the male from the female, as they look similar, however, the males are a touch darker in colour. The female is also just a few milimetres larger in wingspan, at around 52mm, though it's hardly noticable unless you actually measured them side by side. The ringlet is a chocolate brown colour, but almost black when they have just emerged. They have a thin white fringe round the wing margins. The eyespots on both sides of wings, give the name, Ringlet, and there are usually 5 on the hind wing, and two on the forewing, but this does vary. The eye spots on the upper side are smaller and fewer then the ones on the underside. The spots are thought to be a deterent against wood be predators, such as birds.

The ringlet seems to favour thistles, blackberry flowers and also knapweed. They prefer woodland glades, areas of tall grasses, as well as hedgerows and verges in partial shade. The ringlet is commonly confused with the similar looking Meadow Brown. The two can be distinguished, by the fact that the Ringlet is darker in colour, and further study can reveal more obvious differences.