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Species Details
Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameCommon Alpine
SeasonalityOne yealry flight, peaking from early June to late July, depending on habitat.
IdentificationUpperside brown with a row black submarginal eyesspots set in rust-orange patches. Underside similar, but the hindwing has a broad, lightly contrasting median band bordered by a lighter grey-brown area. Females have a lighter underside and generally more eyespots.
E. mancinus is similar, but lacks all hindwing eyespots, and has a white spot on the ventral hindwing.
D. Macaulay image
This species was described from specimens collected at Rock Lake near Jasper (Kondla 1996). Subspecies sineocellata is found throughout the boreal and parkland region, the nominate subspecies occupying the mountain region. Subspecies are weakly differentiated and grade into one another (Bird et al. 1995).
This species was described from specimens collected at Rock Lake near Jasper (Kondla 1996). Subspecies sineocellata is found throughout the boreal and parkland region, the nominate subspecies occupying the mountain region. Subspecies are weakly differentiated and grade into one another (Bird et al. 1995).
Scientific Name
Erebia epipsodea
Common Name
Common Alpine
Habitat
Mesic grasslands and meadows.
Seasonality
One yealry flight, peaking from early June to late July, depending on habitat.
Identification
Upperside brown with a row black submarginal eyesspots set in rust-orange patches. Underside similar, but the hindwing has a broad, lightly contrasting median band bordered by a lighter grey-brown area. Females have a…
Upperside brown with a row black submarginal eyesspots set in rust-orange patches. Underside similar, but the hindwing has a broad, lightly contrasting median band bordered by a lighter grey-brown area. Females have a lighter underside and generally more eyespots.
E. mancinus is similar, but lacks all hindwing eyespots, and has a white spot on the ventral hindwing.
D. Macaulay image
This species was described from specimens collected at Rock Lake near Jasper (Kondla 1996). Subspecies sineocellata is found throughout the boreal and parkland region, the nominate subspecies occupying the mountain region. Subspecies are weakly differentiated and grade into one another (Bird et al. 1995).
Life History
This species was described from specimens collected at Rock Lake near Jasper (Kondla 1996). Subspecies sineocellata is found throughout the boreal and parkland region, the nominate subspecies occupying the mountain region. Subspecies are weakly differentiated and grade into one another (Bird et al. 1995).
The eggs are laid on various substrates near the food plant. Larvae have two short 'tails', and are yellowish-green with a dark dorsal line and yellowish subdorsal and lateral lines. Third and fourth instar larvae…
The eggs are laid on various substrates near the food plant. Larvae have two short 'tails', and are yellowish-green with a dark dorsal line and yellowish subdorsal and lateral lines. Third and fourth instar larvae hibernate (Scott 1986). Adults have a weak, floppy flight and males patrol meadows in search of females.
Conservation
Common and widespread in Alberta; no concerns.
Diet Info
The larval host plants are unknown. Larvae eat grasses and sedges in captivity (Scott 1986). Adults visit flowers and sip at mud (Layberry et al. 1998).
Range
Alaska south to New Mexico, east to Manitoba (Scott 1986).
Citation
Page Citation for Erebia epipsodea
Page Citation
"Species Details - Erebia epipsodea, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2848/9-26167. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
References
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Kondla, N.G.
Title
Clarification of some butterfly type localities.
Publication Date
1996
Series Title
Alberta Naturalist
Volume
26
Pages
39-41
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Author
Scott, J. A.
Title
The Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date
1986
Pages
583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 60 specimens of this Species.
UASM7697 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1923-06-16
UASM7698 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1934-06-28
UASM7701 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByHocking, Brian
Date Collected1955-07-10
UASM7702 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByHocking, Brian
Date Collected1955-07-10
UASM7703 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByHocking, Brian
Date Collected1955-07-10
UASM7694 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pocahontas
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-06-16
UASM7693 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pocahontas
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1913-06-24
UASM7717 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByCrosby, G. C. S.
Date Collected1923-06-12
UASM7720 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByCrosby, G. C. S.
Date Collected1922-06-10
UASM33913 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1983-06-11
UASM33921 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1982-06-26
UASM33927 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1983-06-11
UASM33934 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cowley
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1995-06-06
UASM33935 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1982-06-26
UASM33936 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1983-05-28
UASM33937 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cowley
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1995-06-09
UASM33831 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1992-06-07
UASM33918 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1981-08-09
UASM33926 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1992-06-07
UASM33928 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1992-06-07
UASM33929 - Erebia epipsodea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Hailstone Butte
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1991-07-30