Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606
Oeneis chryxus
This record describes Oeneis chryxus (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Variable--see guide photos and print references for details.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Satyrinae
- Tribe
- Satyrini
- Genus
- Oeneis (Arctics)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Rocky hilltops, meadows, open woodlands with grasses.
Geographic Range
Eastern Alaska south through Rockies at high elevations to New Mexico. East across Canada to Ontario, Quebec, northern Wisconsin, Michigan. Isolated population in California Sierras .
Seasonal Activity
Early summer. May-June (Wisconsion, Ontario). May-July (Colorado). June-August (alpine zone, California).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults sip mud.
Life History
Males perch on hilltops, etc. on watch for females. Larvae feed on grasses, sometimes sedges, such as Carex spectabilis in California. One flight per year. Large flights in some areas only every other year. Larvae typically overwinter over two winters before pupation .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Oeneis chryxus. 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 Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by cotinis , Hannah Nendick-Mason , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606
What is Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606?
Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606 (Oeneis chryxus) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606?
Wingspan 45-54 mm
How do you identify Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606?
Variable--see guide photos and print references for details.
Where is Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rocky hilltops, meadows, open woodlands with grasses. |
| Range | Eastern Alaska south through Rockies at high elevations to New Mexico. East across Canada to Ontario, Quebec, northern Wisconsin, Michigan. Isolated population in California Sierras . |
What does Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606 eat?
The diet of the Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606 includes Adults sip mud..
When is Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606 active?
Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606: seasonal activity - Early summer. May-June (Wisconsion, Ontario). May-July (Colorado). June-August (alpine zone, California)..
What is the life cycle of a Chryxus Arctic - Hodges#4606?
Males perch on hilltops, etc. on watch for females. Larvae feed on grasses, sometimes sedges, such as Carex spectabilis in California. One flight per year. Large flights in some areas only every other year. Larvae typically overwinter over two winters before pupation .