Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202
Euchloe olympia
This record describes Euchloe olympia (species). Recorded family: Pieridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing upperside chalky white with gray bar at end of cell, and light gray tip; hindwing underside with greenish-yellow marbling forming three distinct bands with large white spaces between; fresh specimens have pinkish tinge on wings Larva: body green, striped along its length with gray and yellow local and uncommon
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Pieridae (Whites, Sulphurs, Yellows)
- Subfamily
- Pierinae
- Tribe
- Anthocharidini
- Genus
- Euchloe (Marbles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
dry grassy knolls, dry meadows, open woodlands, alvars and old sand dunes
Geographic Range
Rocky Mtns to N. TX, NE. to S. Quebec - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
South: Mar-May North: Apr-Jun (MPG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on buds, flowers, and fruit of rockcress ( Arabis spp.) and Hedge Mustard ( Sisymbrium officinale ) adults nectar on flowers of rock cress, chickweed, Phlox , and Houstonia
Life History
female lays single egg on flower bud of host plant; overwinters as a pupa inside chrysalis; one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euchloe olympia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202
What is Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202?
Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202 (Euchloe olympia) is a species in the family Pieridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202?
wingspan 30-40 mm in Canada ( Butterflies of Canada ); 35-51 mm in United States ( nearctica.com )
How do you identify Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202?
Adult: forewing upperside chalky white with gray bar at end of cell, and light gray tip; hindwing underside with greenish-yellow marbling forming three distinct bands with large white spaces between; fresh specimens have pinkish tinge on wings Larva: body green, striped along its length with gray and yellow
Where is Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | dry grassy knolls, dry meadows, open woodlands, alvars and old sand dunes |
| Range | Rocky Mtns to N. TX, NE. to S. Quebec - Map (MPG) |
What does Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202 eat?
The diet of the Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202 includes larvae feed on buds, flowers, and fruit of rockcress ( Arabis spp.) and Hedge Mustard ( Sisymbrium officinale ) adults nectar on flowers of rock cress, chickweed, Phlox , and Houstonia.
When is Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202 active?
Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202: seasonal activity - South: Mar-May North: Apr-Jun (MPG data).
What is the life cycle of a Olympia Marble - Hodges#4202?
female lays single egg on flower bud of host plant; overwinters as a pupa inside chrysalis; one generation per year