Species Details
Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameRed-disked Alpine
SeasonalityOne yearly flight, peaking in May.
IdentificationEyepsots absent. Upperside dark brown with a large, diffuse dark-ochre patch in the forewing median area. Underside similar, but with a light brownish-grey frosting on outer half of hindwing and forewing apex.
The only other Erebia in Alberta that lacks eyespots is magdalena.
Scientific Name
Erebia discoidalis
Common Name
Red-disked Alpine
Habitat
Moist meadows and fens.
Seasonality
One yearly flight, peaking in May.
Identification
Eyepsots absent. Upperside dark brown with a large, diffuse dark-ochre patch in the forewing median area. Underside similar, but with a light brownish-grey frosting on outer half of hindwing and forewing apex.
The…
Eyepsots absent. Upperside dark brown with a large, diffuse dark-ochre patch in the forewing median area. Underside similar, but with a light brownish-grey frosting on outer half of hindwing and forewing apex.
The only other Erebia in Alberta that lacks eyespots is magdalena.
Life History
The barrel-shaped eggs are laid singly on the hostplant, and hatch in 9 - 11 days (Bird et al. 1995). Larvae, which likely overwinter, are cream-coloured with dark, diagonal lines.
One of the first butterflies to…
The barrel-shaped eggs are laid singly on the hostplant, and hatch in 9 - 11 days (Bird et al. 1995). Larvae, which likely overwinter, are cream-coloured with dark, diagonal lines.
One of the first butterflies to emerge in the spring along with Boreal Azures.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larval hosts in Alberta remain to be confirmed. Larvae eat bluegrass (Poa) species, including lawn grass in captivity (Bird et al. 1995) and Canby's Bluegrass (Poa canbyi) in Manitoba (W. Krivda in Hooper 1973). Scott…
Larval hosts in Alberta remain to be confirmed. Larvae eat bluegrass (Poa) species, including lawn grass in captivity (Bird et al. 1995) and Canby's Bluegrass (Poa canbyi) in Manitoba (W. Krivda in Hooper 1973). Scott (1986) also lists P. glauca and P. alpina.
Range
Alaska south to northern Montana along the Rocky Mountain front ranges, east to southern Quebec (Scott 1986). Occurs throughout Alberta, but is absent from most of the prairie region (Bird et al 1995).
Citation
Page Citation for Erebia discoidalis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Erebia discoidalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2849. Accessed 03 Mar. 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
Scott, J. A.
Title
The Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date
1986
Pages
583 pp.
Author
Hooper, R.R.
Title
The Butterflies of Saskatchewan
Publication Date
1973
Pages
216 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 74 specimens of this Species.
UASM41176 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected2003-06-10
UASM78027 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByHilchie, G.; Hilchie, J.; Holmberg, R.
Date Collected2004-06-08
UASM78028 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Sand Lake
Collected ByHilchie, G.; Hilchie, J.; Holmberg, R.
Date Collected2004-06-10
BIRD6351 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer River
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-05-21
BIRD6352 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-05-24
BIRD10626 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-14
BIRD10627 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-12
BIRD29491 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-05-26
UASM210454 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1988-05-09
UASM210455 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210456 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210457 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210458 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210459 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210460 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210461 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-04-27
UASM210462 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-05-01
UASM210463 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-05-04
UASM210464 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-05-04
UASM210465 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1987-05-04
UASM211441 - Erebia discoidalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wagner Natural Area
Collected ByRobinson, E.
Date Collected2000-05-12