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Species Details
Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NamePolixenes Arctic
SeasonalityOne 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 Name
Oeneis polixenes
Common 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).
Citation
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/2-2860/9-69. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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
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 45 specimens of this Species.
UASM54 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-15
UASM55 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-12
UASM56 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-12
UASM57 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-12
UASM58 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-12
UASM59 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-12
UASM60 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-12
UASM61 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-07-18
UASM62 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-12
UASM63 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fort Vermilion
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1925-06-15
UASM64 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-13
UASM65 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-12
UASM66 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1935-07-13
UASM67 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-07-11
UASM68 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1941-06-15
UASM69 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-07-10
UASM70 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pocahontas
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1913-06-29
UASM71 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pocahontas
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1913-06-29
UASM303 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Roche Miette
Date Collected1913-07-02
UASM304 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Roche Miette
Date Collected1913-07-02
UASM305 - Oeneis polixenes
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Roche Miette
Date Collected1913-07-02