Common NamePolixenes ArcticSeasonalityOne yearly flight, peaking in early to late July.IdentificationThe upperside is an even greyish brown without any markings, although the underside markings are vaguely visible through the translucent wings. Underside mottled with black and grey, and with a distinct median band. Similar to O. bore, but lacks the light shading along the hindwing veins. Alberta populations are subspecies brucei.
Scientific NameOeneis polixenesCommon Name
Polixenes Arctic
Habitat
Dry, gravelly alpine tundra.
Seasonality
One yearly flight, peaking in early to late July.
Identification
The upperside is an even greyish brown without any markings, although the underside markings are vaguely visible through the translucent wings. Underside mottled with black and grey, and with a distinct median band.…
The upperside is an even greyish brown without any markings, although the underside markings are vaguely visible through the translucent wings. Underside mottled with black and grey, and with a distinct median band. Similar to O. bore, but lacks the light shading along the hindwing veins. Alberta populations are subspecies brucei.
Life History
Unknown in Alberta. Elsewhere, eggs are dull white and larvae have longitudinal lines of grey, brown-green and brown, and take two seasons to fully mature. The Polixenes Arctic flies only in odd-numbered years at…
Unknown in Alberta. Elsewhere, eggs are dull white and larvae have longitudinal lines of grey, brown-green and brown, and take two seasons to fully mature. The Polixenes Arctic flies only in odd-numbered years at Baker Lake, NWT and Churchill, MB (Scott 1986), but every year in the Alberta mountains.
Conservation
Subspecies brucei is not of concern. The status of boreal populations is unknown.
Diet Info
No larval hosts are reported for Alberta. The main host at Churchill, MB is Carex misandra, and occasionally Festuca mibra (Parshall in Scott 1986). Adults occasionally nectar.
Range
Alaska to Labrador south to Alberta, with isolated populations in New England and the Rocky Mountain States (Scott 1986).
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Citation
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Page Citation for Oeneis polixenes
Page Citation
"Species Details - Oeneis polixenes, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2860. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Authorship
NameSchmidt, B. C.
Rolespecies page author
Date2003-04-07
References
AuthorBird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
TitleAlberta Butterflies
Publication Date1995
Pages349
AuthorLayberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
TitleThe Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date1998
Pages280
AuthorScott, J. A.
TitleThe Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date1986
Pages583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 45 specimens of this Species.
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45 results plotted on map in 12 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.