Species Details

Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameArctic Skipper SeasonalityOne brood per year, with peak flight activity from early June to early July depending on habitat. IdentificationThis mid-sized skipper (wingspan 20 - 30 mm) is unmistakable with its brown and orange checkered pattern. Although Layberry et al. (1998) assign all Canadian populations to subspecies mandan, mountain populations are larger and darker, and the name magnus has recently been applied to these populations (Guppy & Shepard 2001).

Scientific Name Carterocephalus palaemon Common Name Arctic Skipper Habitat Inhabits clearings, meadows and open woods in the boreal, parkland and mountain regions. Seasonality One brood per year, with peak flight activity from early June to early July depending on habitat. Identification
This mid-sized skipper (wingspan 20 - 30 mm) is unmistakable with its brown and orange checkered pattern. Although Layberry et al. (1998) assign all Canadian populations to subspecies mandan, mountain populations are…
This mid-sized skipper (wingspan 20 - 30 mm) is unmistakable with its brown and orange checkered pattern. Although Layberry et al. (1998) assign all Canadian populations to subspecies mandan, mountain populations are larger and darker, and the name magnus has recently been applied to these populations (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Life History
Eggs are greenish-white, and mature larvae are creamy white with a dark dorsal and lateral stripe (Bird et al. 1995). The mature larva overwinters, and the pupa resembles a piece of dead grass (Bird et al. 1995).…
Eggs are greenish-white, and mature larvae are creamy white with a dark dorsal and lateral stripe (Bird et al. 1995). The mature larva overwinters, and the pupa resembles a piece of dead grass (Bird et al. 1995). Males of the Arctic Skipper perch on grass stalks.
Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info
Although a large number of broad-leafed grasses have been reported as larval hosts, many of these likely refer to larvae fed in captivity, and the number of hosts used in nature are likely few (Layberry et al. 1998).…
Although a large number of broad-leafed grasses have been reported as larval hosts, many of these likely refer to larvae fed in captivity, and the number of hosts used in nature are likely few (Layberry et al. 1998). Eggs are laid on brome grass (Bromus spp.) and reed grass (Calamagrostis spp.) in Michigan (Nielsen 1999).
Range
The Arctic Skipper occurs throughout most of Canada except the high Arctic, from Alaska to Newfoundland, south along the mountains to California and Wyoming. In the east, it ranges south to the Great Lakes states and…
The Arctic Skipper occurs throughout most of Canada except the high Arctic, from Alaska to Newfoundland, south along the mountains to California and Wyoming. In the east, it ranges south to the Great Lakes states and New England (Opler 1999). It also occurs in Eurasia.

Citation

Page Citation for Carterocephalus palaemon

Page Citation

"Species Details - Carterocephalus palaemon, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2580. Accessed 20 May. 2024.

Authorship

Name Schmidt, B. C.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 61 specimens of this Species.

61 results plotted on map in 28 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM41181 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Margaret Lake Collected ByPohl, G. R. Date Collected2003-06-15

UASM78004 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake Collected ByHilchie, G.; Macaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H. Date Collected2004-07-11

UASM78005 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H. Date Collected2004-07-16

BIRD6129 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-06-17

BIRD6130 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-06-29

BIRD6131 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rocky Mountain House Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-29

BIRD6132 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Limestone Mountain Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-07-29

BIRD6133 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2003-06-07

BIRD17209 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2006-05-19

BIRD10572 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2005-05-26

UASM210655 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2009-06-13

UASM213554 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park Collected ByJohnson, T. Date Collected2003-07-08

UASM213555 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel River Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S. Date Collected2003-07-07

CBCC1423 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park Collected ByChristensen, C. B. Date Collected2005-05-26

BIRD23090 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2008-06-01

BIRD36514 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2013-06-02

BIRD37291 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2014-06-14

POHL-13-00540 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake Collected ByPohl, G. R. Date Collected?

POHL-13-00541 - Carterocephalus palaemon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake Collected ByPohl, G. R. Date Collected1975-01-01/1975-12-31

Adult Seasonal Distribution