Coenonympha tullia

Photo Credit: Mdf via Wikimedia Commons. License: GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
Coenonympha tullia
Common Name: common ringlet
Other Common Names: California ringlet
Animal Guild: Insect
Class > Order > Family: Insecta > Lepidoptera > Nymphalidae
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AK, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, KS, MA, MB, ME, MI, MN, MT, NB, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NL, NM, NT, NU, NV, NY, ON, OR, PA, PE, QC, RI, SD, SK, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, YT
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults
One or more adults are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
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For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding with their straw-like tongue (proboscis). If possible, record the substance and species on which they are feeding (for example, nectar, sap, dung, or moist soil) in the comments field. For Coenonympha tullia, adults feed on the flower nectar of many different plant species.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Flower visitation
One or more individuals are seen visiting flowers or flying from flower to flower. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field.

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Reproduction Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually end to end. This can occur at rest or in flight.

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Egg laying
A female is seen laying eggs on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Coenonympha tullia, eggs are typically deposited on the leaves of grass plants.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Eggs
One or more eggs are seen on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Coenonympha tullia, the tiny, ribbed, barrel-shaped eggs are initially whitish, becoming tan with orange-brown or pinkish mottling as they develop, and are typically found on the leaves of grass plants.

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Development Caterpillars
One or more caterpillars (larvae) are seen moving about or at rest. When seen on a plant, if possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Coenonympha tullia, caterpillars are green to brown with several pale white to yellow lateral stripes. The abdomen ends in a forked tip.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Caterpillars feeding
One or more caterpillars are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field. For Coenonympha tullia, caterpillars typically feed on grass plants.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Pupae
One or more pupae are seen in a cocoon or shell (puparium). For Coenonympha tullia, pupae are enclosed in a green, translucent shell (chrysalis) that appears orange-brown as the butterfly develops, and hang from grass plants or other outdoor surfaces. Do not include empty pupal shells after the adult has emerged from them.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

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Dead caterpillars
One or more dead caterpillars are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

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Individuals in a net
One or more individuals are seen caught in a net.

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Individuals in a trap
One or more individuals are seen caught in a trap.

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What do these phenophases look like?

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