BUTTERFLIES AND SKIPPERS OF WEST-CENTRAL JAMES W. CASE and C. D. BIRD, Department of Biology, University of , Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4. Until recently, very few extensive the remainder is in the Athabasca. investigations into the natural history River Watershed, while the rest in is of west-central Alberta had been the North Saskatchewan River carried out. The prospect of a Watershed. pipeline carrying arctic gas through The area is biologically diverse and the area and an interest in the impact complex. In the extreme northwest of existing natural gas processing are tne unique Peace River parklands plants on the environment however, which have close floristic similarities led to numerous ecology study to the aspen parkland to the south programs. Although largely carried and east. The Peace River grassland is out for private companies, many of dominated by wheat grass these environmental reports, such as (Agropyron dasystachyum) ana nee¬ the Canadian Arctic Gas Biological dle grass (Stipa spartea), which are Report Series1 have been made found on dry soutn-facing slopes and public. These studies were largely in¬ well drained hill tops. June grass, ventory oriented and dealt with en¬ prairie crocus, pasture sagewort,! tire communities as well as single showy locoweed, and fragile prickly- groups of birds, mammals and plants. pear cactus are also found here. One group about which very little has Aspen groves occur in moister or been published though, is the more sheltered places in the Lepidopterans, especially the grasslands. Many shrubs and herbs butterflies and skippers. Several peo- occur within ana around these aspen le have made collections of bluffs including Saskatoon-berry, utterflies in different parts of west- roses, chokecherry, pin cherry, central Alberta during the past hun¬ buckbrush, wild sarsaparilla, dred years or so, ana most of these American vetch, yellow pea vine, specimens have been examined by northern bedstraw and wild tne authors. Ted Pike, for example has strawberry. This parkland habitat sup¬ collected extensively along highways ports several butterflies typical of tne 16 and 43, and also in the Hinton area. aspen parkland of southern Alberta, In addition, J.W. Case carried out including the Dreamy Dusky Wing, field work on butterfly faunistics Persius Dusky Wing, Gothic Swallow¬ throughout west-central Alberta tail, Western Checkered White, while conducting research into air Melissa Blue, Greenish Blue, White pollution impact around natural gas Admiral, Jenistai Fritillary, Mormon plants. It is this on which the present Fritillary, Common Wood Nymph, paper is largely based. Varuna Arctic, and Common Alpine. As defined here, west-central Sloughs are the place to look for the Alberta, a moderate to strongly roll¬ Bronze and Purplish Coppers. ing region, lies between 53 to 57 degrees north latitude and 114 to 120 In many areas, aspen dominates ex¬ degrees west longitude (Fig. 1) and tensive stands of mixed forest with comprises roughly 135,000 square white spruce and lodgepole pine as| kilometres. Rising 300-600 m above subordinate tree species. Tne un¬ the lowlands is a series of flat-topped dergrowth is similar to that of the dissected plateaux known collectively bluffs described above. Many! as the . A small portion of butterflies are associated with these the Rocky Mountains is included in woods, including the Arctic Skipper, the extreme southwest part of the Northern Cloudy Wing, Mustard study area. The majority of the area is White, Large Marble, Scudder's Blue, drained by the Peace River. Most of Western Tailed Blue, Silvery Blue,

208 Satyr Angle Wing, Gray Comma, cranberry, and thimbleberry (Rubus Atlantis Fritillary, and Cary's Arctic. parviflorus). Common herbs here are Other parts of the study area are twin-flower, bunchberry, Bishop's covered by mixed coniferous woods. cap, goldthread (Coptis trifoliata), Lodgepole pine dominated forest Prince's pine, oak-leaf fern (Gym- nocarpium dryopteris), dewberry, frequently occurs in well drained areas that have been burned over in fireweed ana blue-joint grass the last century. Seedlings of white (Calamagrostis canadensis). These spruce, balsam fir and aspen are forests are also the home of the Pink- edged Sulphur, Mariposa Copper, usually present in the understory. and Purple Lesser Fritillary. Many shrubs are also present, in¬ cluding low bush cranberry, Pines showing varying degrees of blueberries, Labrador tea, bog introgression with Jack pine occur in

December, 1977 35(4) 209 sand dune areas. A species poor un¬ National Park. Many butterflies found derstory is dominated by bearberrv, in this area are found nowhere else in hairy wild rye, harebell and western central Alberta. These upper buffalo berry. Christina Sulphurs, foothills, subalpine and alpine areas Hoary Elfins, and Brown Elfins are were not visited by the authors and found in this habitat. our knowledge of the butterfly fauna White spruce forest is found over a of the area is limited largely to wide range of edaphic conditions. specimens taken in the vicinity of Balsam fir, paper birch, aspen and Pocahontas by K. Bowman in the first lodgepole pine are frequently subor¬ part of the century. Future work in dinate trees. A species rich un¬ this area will undoubtedly reveal derstory frequently includes such in¬ several mountain species besides the teresting plants as common nettle, ones that are known from the area? ground cedar (Lycopodium which include the following: obscurum), stiff club-moss (L. an- Manitoba Skipper, Elis Sulphur, notinum), broad spinulose shield fern Astraea Sulphur, Nastes Sulphur, (Dryopteris dilatata), single deli ght Creusa Marble, Hewitson's (Moneses uniflora), Devil's c ub Checkerspot, Bean's Checkerspot, (Oplopanax horridum), fa se Hydaspe Fritillary, Bean's Arctic and mitrewort (Tiarella trifoliata), Bruce's Arctic. gooseberries, red elder (Sambucus In addition to the natural habitats, pubens), mountain ash, and twisted man has produced a variety of new stalk (Streptopus amplexifolius). ones such as cultivated lana, weedy Butterflies found in or near these clearings, farm yards, roadsides, woods include the Hudsonian Old seismic lines and pipeline right-of- World Swallowtail, Green Comma, ways. This has destroyed some natural Atlantis Fritillary and Macoun's Arc¬ habitat, and clearing of farm land has tic. done the majority of that, but a mul¬ Black spruce dominates gentle titude of new clearings has resulted slopes or undulating terrain with where butterflies abound, feeding on poorly drained soils. In very poorly flowers of alfalfa, clover and weeds. drained places black spruce — peat The borders of a road through aspen moss bogs occur. Characteristic or mixed woods are an especially species of this complex are tamarack good place to watch for the Alfalfa (Larix laricina), cloudberry (Rubus Butterfly, Silvery Blue, Cabbage chamaemorus), swamp laurel (Kalmia White, Greenish Blue, Long Dasn, polifolia), bog Rosemary (Andromeda Tawny-Edged Skipper and Red Ad-' polifolia), small bog cranberry (Ox- mirals. I ycoccus microcarpus) and swamp birch. In better drained places, The earliest known butterfly colleci feather mosses dominate an un¬ tions in west central Alberta were derstory otherwise made up largely of made near Peace River in 1893, by ar Labrador tea and reindeer licnen unknown collector whose specimen? (Cladon ia spp.). Black spruce are now preserved in the Canadian dominated woods or bogs are the National Collection. James Fletchei place to watch for the Giant Sulphur, collected a Northwestern Silverspot? Dorcas Copper, Bog Fritillary, Frigga also in the Peace River area! Fritillary, Jutta Arctic and Mancinus presumably around 1903, either Alpine. before or after visiting F. H. Wolle) Dod in Calgary. W. Klassen collectec Various stages of primary succes¬ a Tiger Swallowtail at ir sion occur on stream and river flood June of 1910. Between 1913 and 1925 plains. The Spring Azure is often K. Bowman made many collection: abundant in such areas of riverine near Pocahontas, , Bilby forest. Beaverlodge, Coalspur and Wembley The extreme southwestern part of Donald Mackie collected a large the study area includes a portion of number of butterflies, including a the Rocky Mountains in Jasper Coral Hairstreak, near Bilby from 192' to 1925. O. Bryant also made collec¬ MANITOBA SKIPPER (Hesperia comma tions near Bilby in 1924 In 1940, C. L. manitoba). Found in mountain meadows. Neilson collected several butterflies Known only from near Pocahontas where at Dunvegan, , Fairview, a single male was collected by K. Bowman Bluesky, Beaverlodge and . in June, 1918. Ten years later, L. Burgess made a few ARCTIC SKIPPER (Carterocephalus palae- collections near Beaverlodge. B. mon). May 29-July 1. Found along trails Hocking made collections near and in clearings bordered by aspen or mix¬ Wabamun in 1955 and Sundance in ed woods where it visits many different flowers. It has been collected in the Fox 1957. More recently, collections have Creek area, near , and along been made by R. L. Anderson at Ed- the MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Ca¬ son in 1958; D. Hughes, A. Pucat, M. nyon. Specimens taken at Bilby by D. A. MacGregor and F. D. Johanson at Mackie in 1921,1922 and 1925 were labell¬ Flatbush in 1960; S. L. Skaley at ed as Carterocephalus palaemon Rycroft in 1966; J. Emond near Little mesapano but all of the other specimens Smoky in 1968; Brian Randall at more closely resemble Carterocephalus in 1968; R. Carcasson alaemon mandan. The differentiation etween these subspecies has been based at Goodwin in 1969; Peter Kuchar on size differences with the larger mandan near Vine Creek in 1970; Ted Pike at occurring in the mountains and the boreal Grimshaw, Canyon Creek, Slave Lake, forest, while the smaller mesapano is along highways 43 and 16, and in the found in the aspen parkland and prairies. Hinton area from 1972-77; J. Belicek Too much size overlap occurs to justify the near Nojack in 1973; C. D. Bird near recognition of two subspecies in the area [ Robb in 1974; G. J. Hilchie near at this time. I in 1975 and near Little Smoky in 1977; NORTHERN CLOUDY WING (Thorybes I W. Smith at Hilliard's Bay on Lesser pylades). June 3-June 22. Found oc¬ I Slave Lake in 1976; Vanny Case near casionally in moist mixed woods where the 1 Little Smoky in 1977; Bill Hills near larval food plants, yellow pea vine and vetches, are abundant. Known from Little I Peace River in 1977; and J. W. Case Smoky, along the Waskahigan River near (throughout the area from 1974 to Little Smoky, and Hilliard's Bay on Lesser 11977. Slave Lake (W. Smith). ALPINE CHECKERED SKIPPER (Pyrgus cen- taurae loki). July 2-12. Purportedly found | SPECIES LIST in foothills forest and alpine meadows. It is known in the study area from collections J The common and scientific names made by K. Bowman at Pocahontas in 1913 (employed are essentially those of and 1921. ( Hooper's "Butterflies of Saskatchewan".3 1 Dates listed after the species are the DREAMY DUSKY WING (Erynnis icelus). | known flight periods. Moss' "Flora of May 16-July 7. Found commonly along the (Alberta"6 is the reference for the plant edges of aspen and mixed woods. It has "( names. Records are of specimens taken by been collected at Bilby (D. Mackie), 20 km )1 J. W. Case, unless another collector's name NNW of Whitecourt, in the Fox Creek ij is given in parentheses. Sight records (SR) area, 25 km NW of Fox Creek, Little r|of the authors are also included. Smoky, Pocahontas (K. Bowman), along 1 MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon, HESPERIIDAE — Skippers and 23 km WSW of Clear Prairie. t jPECK'S SKIPPER (Polites coras). July 23-24. PERSIUS DUSKY WING (Erynnis persius). JFound in grassy clearings in white spruce May 29-July 1. Found occasionally along (and lodgepole pine woods. Known from the edges of aspen woods where it feeds (Bilby (D. Mackie) and 46 km S of Fox on early flowering legumes. It has been (Creek. collected near Fox Creek, Goodwin (R. I Carcasson). Pocahontas (K. Bowman), and (TAWNY-EDGED SKIPPER (Polites along MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Ca¬ |themistocles). July 2-4. Found rarely along nyon. (roadsides in parkland areas. Known only (from collections made at Bilby in 1924 by (D. Mackie and O. Bryant. PAPILIONIDAE - Swallowtails aLONG DASH (Polites sonora dacotah). GOTHIC SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio zelicaon (June 29. A single, fresh male was taken in gothica). May 19-July 6. Found occasional¬ *1975 in a grassy clearing surrounded by ly on dry hill tops or meadows in parkland. (aspen woods, 1 km NW of Little Smoky. It is known from Bifby (D. Mackie), Nojack

ecember, 1977 35(4) 211 James W. Case

A Tiger Swallowtail mud puddle club. These butterflies are swarming around a small pud¬ dle, apparently as a result of a craving for the salts present in such moist places. Note the Blues tnat are trying to join the club.

(J. Belicek), the Fox Creek area and along specimens were seen, but the next day it MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon. seemed to be snowing Tiger Swallowtails. This species was usually found flying with Most were fresh and many "puddle clubs'^ Tiger Swallowtails but was easily spotted were observed during the next few days. because it appears distinctly darker than its Females were also seen laying eggs on companions. aspen leaves. HUDSONIAN OLD WORLD PIERIDAE - Whites, Sulphurs and SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio machaon hud- Marbles sonianus). May 29-July 22. Found in aspen arkland woods and in mixed woods. It is WESTERN CHECKERED WHITE (Pieris nown from 6.4 km SW of Fox Creek, the protodice occidentalis). August 12- Kleskun Hills, the Peace Hills 7 km S of September 8. Found commonly in open Bear Canyon and 30 km N of Bear Canyon. parkland, usually in disturbed areas, where weedy mustards abound. It is known from TIGER SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio glaucus Bilby (D. Mackie), 30 km NW of canadensis). May 22-July 4. One of the Whitecourt, along Marsh Head Creek, commonest, and certainly one of the most Rycroft (L. Skaley), and Boundary Lake. obvious, butterflies anywhere, especially near aspen woods. It visits Labrador tea, MUSTARD WHITE (Pieris napi oleracea). clover, gardens and weedy roadsides. It is May 22-August 12. Found in open areas in known from Bilby (D. Macl

212 Blue Jay August 27. Found in gardens, fields and in PINK-EDGED SULPHUR (Colias interior in¬ forest clearing. It has been collected near terior). May 22-August 24. Lound com¬ Evansburg (T. Pike), Whitecourt, Silver monly along roads and trails through mix¬ Valley and Grande Prairie, but has been ed woods where the larval food plants, observed throughout the area south of the Vaccinium spp., are common. K. Bow¬ Peace River. This species was accidentally man collected this species at Pocahontas in introduced into Quebec in about 1860 ana 1921, and L. Burgess took it at Beaverlodge rapidly spread throughout North America in 1950. Recently, it has been collected in (Howe 1975). It has been a serious pest of the vicinities of Lox Creek, Little Smoky cruciferous crops and is also replacing (Vanny Case), Robb(C. D. Bird), Boundary Pieris napi in many places. Lake, Bear Canyon and MacLean Creek 30 PALAENO SULPHUR (Colias palaeno km N of Bear Canyon. chippewa). June 11-July 12. This northern GIANT SULPHUR (Colias gigantea species has been occasionally picked up in gigantea). June 18-July 12. Lound oc¬ tne southern parts of the study area, but is casionally in wet meadows near mixed more common near the mountains in the woods or brushiand dominated by west. It is found in or near boggy areas willows, which are the food plants. It is where the food plants, Vaccinium species, known from the vicinities of Pocahontas occur. It is known from collections made (K. Bowman), Hondo (G. Hilchie), Bilby (D. by T. Pike in the vicinities of Evansburg, Mackie), near Evansburg (T. Pike), 19 km Nojack, Rock Lake and Cadomin. W of Wildwood (T. Pike), near Crooked ELIS SULPHUR (Colias meadii). August Creek (T. Pike), 8 km E of Whitecourt (T. 18-30. This mountain species has been Pike), 6 km E of Granada (T. Pike) and taken only in that part of the study area ly¬ MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon. ing within Jasper National Park. K. Bow¬ CHRISTINA SULPHUR (Colias alexandra man found it at Pocahontas in 1915 and P. christina). June 26-August 14. Lound at the Kuchar collected it 55 years later along edges of aspen or mixed woods where the Vine Creek. food plants, legumes, are common. It is ALLALLA BUTTERLLY (Colias eurytheme known from the vicinities of Beaverlodge eurytheme). June 12-July 12. Lound rarely (K. Bowman), Hinton (D. E. Scovell), in agricultural areas where clover ana MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon, alfalfa are cultivated. It has been collected 22 km N of Bear Canyon, Wembley (K. once at Beaverlodge (D. Mackie) and Bowman), Beaverlodge (K. Bowman), twice 30 km N of Bear Canyon. Brownvale (C. L. Neilson), Robb (C. D. Bird), Coalspur (K. Bowman) and ALLALLA BUTTERLLY (Colias eurytheme Pocahontas (K. Bowman). var. alberta). Several specimens taken ASTRAEA SULPHUR (Colias alexandra previously have been labelled as Colias astraea). August 27. Purportedly found in eurytheme var. alberta. K. Bowman, who open areas in foothills. It is known from described this variety, collected several the vicinities of Pocahontas (K. Bowman), specimens in the Beaverlodge — Wembley Cadomin (T. Pike) and Shaw (T. Pike). area during 1924-25. C. L. Neilson took it again at Brownvale and Beaverlodge in NASTES SULPHUR (Colias n a stes 1940. It seems likely that all of these streckeri). July 2. This mountain species is specimens are hybrids between Colias found in alpine meadows and on ridges. It alexandra Christina and Colias eurytheme is known only from the vicinity of eurytheme. Lerris2 came to a similar con¬ Pocahontas (K. Bowman). clusion. There have been no recent collec¬ tions or observations of anything resembl¬ CREUSA MARBLE (Euchloe creusa). June ing these specimens. 19-July 12. Purportedly found in open con¬ iferous woods and meadows. It is known ALLALLA BUTTERLLY (Colias philodice from the vicinities of Pocahontas (K. Bow¬ eriphyle). June 11-September 9. Lound man), Rock Lake (T. Pike) and Cadomin (T. throughout the area, especially where Pike). pipeline right-of-ways, ditches and fields are seedea to clover and alfalfa. It has LARGE MARBLE (Euchloe ausonides been collected at Boundary Lake, along ausonides). May 29-July 11. Lound com¬ MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon, monly along roadsides and in mixed forest 19 km NW of Whitecourt, 5 km W of Eason wherever there are wild or weedy (T. Pike), Little Smoky, in the Lox Creek mustards. It is known from the vicinities of area, 9.7 km SE of Pass Creek Lorestry Robb (T. Pike), 13 km S of Edson (T. Pike), Tower, Eureka River, 40 km NW of Lox Creek, Hilliard's Bay on Lesser Slave Whitecourt, 30 km WNW of Whitecourt, Lake (W. Smith), Canyon Creek (T. Pike), 35 km NW of Whitecourt and 40 km N of Grimshaw (T. Pike), Bear Canyon, Swan Hills, near Beach Corner (T. Pike) MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon and in the Evansburg area (T. Pike). and Boundary Lake.

December, 1977 35(4) 213 LYCAENIDAE — Gossamer-winged (P. Kuchar). Butterflies MELISSA BLUE (Lycaeides melissa melissa). CORAL HAIRSTREAK (Chrysophanus titus June 21 -July 22. Found in virgin prairie immaculosus).Purportedly found in open areas of the Peace River parkland, which woods, ravines and valleys of the parkland has all but disappeared. It is known from where choke-cherry is common. It is the vicinities of Wembley (K. Bowman), known only from the vicinity of Bilby (D. Sagitawa Lookout near Peace River, Mackie). Grande Prairie and the Kleskun Hills. HOARY ELFIN (Callophrys polios GREENISH BLUE (Plebejus saepiolus obscurus). April 15-May 28. Reported to arnica). June 11-August 12. Found in occur in lodgepole pine woods on sand parkland along roads, trails, cutlines, damp dunes. It is known from the vicinities of meadows and wasteplaces. It is known Bilby (D. Mackie), Pocahontas (K. Bow¬ from the vicinities of Beach Corner (T. man) and Goodwin (R. Carcasson). Pike), Evansburg (T. Pike), Granada (T. Pike), Bilby (D. Mackie), Nojack (T. Pike), BROWN ELFIN (Callophrys augustinus). Whitecourt (T. Pike), Hilliard's Bay on April 16-May 30. Found in black spruce Lesser Slave Lake (W. Smith), 40 km SE of woods and nearby open lodgepole pine Fox Creek, Pass Creek Tower, Little Smoky, woods where blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), Crooked Creek (T. Pike), Peace River, Gor- bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia), bog dondale, Kleskun Hills, Bear Canyon, cranberry (Oxycoccus microcarpus) ana MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon bearberry are available. It is known from and Boundary Lake. the vicinities of Pocahontas (K. Bowman), Bilby (D. Mackie), near the losegun River YUKON BLUE (Plebejus optilete yukona). campground and Fox Creek. July 4-12. Rarely found in coniferous woods and bogs where bog cranberries WESTERN ELFIN (Callophrys eryphon (Vaccinium vitis and Oxycoccus micrococ¬ eryphon). April 17-May 30. Found in pine cus) are common. It is known from the woods. It is known from the vicinities of vicinity of Bilby, where it was collected by Pocahontas (K. Bowman) and Fox Creek. D. Mackie ana K. Bowman in 1922-23, ana BRONZE COPPER (Lycaena thoe). July 10- from 30 km SE of Little Smoky, where it was September 5. Found in wet meadows. taken by G. Hilchie and T. Pike in 1977. Known only from collections made by D. MEGALO ARCTIC BLUE (Plebejus aquilo Mackie near Bilby between 1921-26. megalo). June 8-July 14. Found near aspen MARIPOSA COPPER (Lycaena mariposa or pine woods and in the mountains near mariposa). July 10-August 3. Found oc¬ the tree line. It is known from the vicinities casionally in mixed coniferous woods on of Beaverlodge (D. Mackie), Cadomin (T. wet soil. It is known from the vicinities of Pike) and Pocahontas (K. Bowman). Robb (C. D. Bird), Edson (R. L. Anderson) and MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Ca¬ WESTERN TAILED BLUE (Everes amyntula nyon. albrighti). May 29-July 28. Abundant in and around aspen or mixed woods where the PURPLISH COPPER (Lycaena helloides). food plants, which include vetches and July 19- August 3. Found around sloughs yellow pea vine, are found. It is known ana marshes where the larval food plants, from the vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), dock and knotweed, are found. It is Nojack (T. Pike), Whitecourt (T. Pike), Fox known from the vicinities of Robb (C. D. Creek, Little Smoky, the Waskahigan River Bird) and Bilby (D. Mackie). near Little Smoky, Rock Lake (T. Pike), DORCAS COPPER (Lycaena dorcas dor- Pocahontas (K. Bowman), Goodwin (R. cas). July 1-July 9. Found in wet black Carcasson), Peace River, 33 km W of spruce bogs or other marshy areas where , Gordondale, MacLean Creek 30 Potentilla species grow. It is known from km N of Bear Canyon, Bear Canyon and the vicinities of Boundary Lake, MacLean Boundary Lake. Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon and High SILVERY BLUE (Glaucopsyche lygdamus ' Prairie (G. Hilchie). couperi). May 14-July 17. Found common¬ SCUDDER'S BLUE (Lycaeides ly in clearings in or near aspen and balsam argyrognomon scudderii). June 17-August poplar woods, where it feeds with Western 30. Found commonly along roads through Tailed Blues on legumes. It is known from mixed woods and at the edges of aspen the vicinities of Wabamun (B. Hocking), bluffs in parkland. It is known from the Sundance (B. Hocking), Bilby (D. Mackie), vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), Pass Creek Beach Corner (T. Pike), Goodwin (R. Car¬ Tower, Kleskun Hills, MacLean Creek 30 casson), Rock Lake (T. Pike), Pocahontas km N of Bear Canyon, Robb (C. D. Bird), (K. Bowman), Fox Creek, Little Smokv, Cadomin (T. Pike), Shaw (T. Pike), along the Waskahigan River near Little Pocahontas (K. Bowman) and Vine Creek Smoky, Peace River, Bear Canyon,

214 Blue Jay Greenish Blue Gary Anweiler

MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon Mackie) and near Peace River (Bill Hills). and at Boundary Lake. PAINTED LADY (Cynthia cardui). May 19. SPRING AZURE (Celastrina argiolus lucia). Known by several specimens taken by J. April 17-June 11. Found in poplar and mix¬ Belicek near Nojack. This species is rarely ed woods where it feeds on willows, observed migrating into the area. strawberry and violets. It is known from COMPTON TORTOISE SHELL (Nymphalis the vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), Sun¬ vau-album watsoni). August 7-September dance (B. Hocking), tne Sakwatimaw River 17. Found occasionally in deciduous or about 20 km NNW of Whitecourt. 30 km mixed woods. It is known from the SE of Windfall (SR), Fox Creek, Pine Creek, Little Smoky, near the losegun vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), and George Lake (T. Pike). These specimens were River campground and Pocahontas (K. Bowman). labelled as Nymphalis vau-album j-album but according to G. A. Gorelick's treat¬ ment of the genus in, "The Butterflies of North America"4 the subspecies j-album is NYMPHALIDAE — Brush-footed found in the eastern part of the (transcon¬ Butterflies tinental) range while "The subspecies WHITE ADMIRAL (Limenitis arthemis name watsoni (Hall) applies to those pop¬ rubrofasciata). June 29-August 15. Very ulations occurring in northern Wyoming, common in aspen woods and along trails Montana, Alberta, British Columbia and through such woods. It is known from the Alaska" vicinities of Windfall (SR), Silver Creek MILBERT'S TORTOISE SHELL (Nymphalis (SR), Fox Creek, Peace River (SR), 33 km W milberti furcillata). May 21-September 17. of Watino, MacLean Creek 30 km N of Found commonly wherever the principal Bear Canyon and at Boundary Lake. host plant, common nettle, is found. It is RED ADMIRAL (Vanessa atalanta rubria). known from the vicinities of Swan Hills, June 1 and October 9. Found in farm yards Windfall (SR), Pine Creek, 14 km W of Fox and waste places. Known from Bilby (D. Creek, MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear

December, 1977 35(4) 215 Frank A. Switzer

Canyon and Eureka River. (K. Bowman). MOURNING CLOAK (Nymphalis antiopa GRAY COMMA (Polygonia progne). April antiopa). May 5-September 5. Found com¬ 23-September 18. Found in aspen woods monly in aspen and mixed coniferous or brushland where it lays its eggs on the woods. It is known from the vicinities of leaves of wild currants and gooseberries. It Bilby (D. Mackie), Flatbush (M. A. is known from the vicinities of Wabamun MacGregor), Whitecourt (SR), Windfall (K. Bowman), George Lake (T. Pike), Bilby (SR), Fox Creek (SR), Smoke Lake (SR), the (D. Mackie), Cadomin (K. Bowman), ana junction of the Athabasca River and Pine Pocahontas (K. Bowman). Creek (SR), Rock Lake (T. Pike), 32 km S of GREEN COMMA (Polygonia faunus Valleyview (J. Emond) and Beaverlodge (K. rusticus). April 29-June 21. Found in white Bowman). spruce and mixed coniferous woods. It is SATYR ANGLE WING (Polygonia satyrus known from the vicinities of Bilby (D. satyrus). April 29-September 18. Founcl oc¬ Mackie), George Lake (T. Pike), Flatbush casionally in mixed woods and alluvial (A. Pucat), Hilliard's Bay on Lesser Slave forest communities where the larval food Lake (W. Smith), 35 km NW of Whitecourt, plants, nettles, are found. It is known from 30 kn WNW of Whitecourt, 19 km NW of the vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), George Whitecourt and Pocahontas (K. Bowman). Lake (T. Pike, P. Granam), Lesser Slav Lake PEARL CRESCENT (Phyciodes tharos (T. Pike), 30 km WNW of Whitecourt, 47 tharos). June 5-June 22, June 29-August 3. [ km SSE of Fox Creek, Little Smoky and Found in meadows, along old trails at the Beaverlodge (L. Burgess). borders of aspen woods and anywhere ZEPHYR ANGLE WING (Polygonia else asters grow. It is the most widespread zephyrus). May 5-August 28. Found rarely butterfly and also one of the most abun- in wnite spruce woods where the larval dant. It is known from the vicinities of food plants, wild currants and Wabamun (D. Hocking), Bilby (D. Mackie), gooseberries, are found. It is known from Granada (T. Pike), Evansburg (T. Pike), the vicinity of George Lake (T. Pike), Lesser Whitecourt (T. Pike), Fox Creek, Little Slave Lake (T. Pike), Cadomin (K. Bow¬ Srhoky, along the Waskahigan River near man), Rock Lake (T. Pike) and Pocahontas Little Smoky, Crooked Creek (T. Pike), 33

216 Blue Jay km W of Watino, 9.7 km S of Peace River, Prairie (G. Hilchie), Robb (C. D. Bird) and Boundary Lake, 30 km N of Bear Canyon, Cadomin (K. Bowman and T. Pike). the Peace Hills 6.4 km S of Bear Canyon, Hilliard's Bay on Lesser Slave Lake (W. BOG FRITILLARY (Boloria eunomia). June Smith), Edson (R. L. Anderson), 33 km W of 11-Julv 5. Found in black spruce woods Edson (T. Pike), 9.7 km NE of Robb, Rock and black spruce-peat moss bogs, where it Lake (T. Pike), and 5 km W of Medicine feeds on Labrador tea. It is known from Lodge (T. Pike). the vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), MEADOW CRESCENT (Phyciodes MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon, campestris campestris). July 12. Known by Evansburg (T. Pike), Nojack (T. Pike), 19 km a single collection from the Cadomin area W of Wildwood (T. Pike), 3 km E of Entwis- (T. Pike). tle (T. Pike), 2 km W of Granada (T. Pike), 13 km S of Edson (T. Pike), 5 km W of Edson ANICIA CHECKERSPOT (Euphydryas (T. Pike), 5 km W of Medicine Lodge (T. anicia anicia). June 19-July 12. Found in Pike), 25 km E of Rock Lake (T. Pike), Enilda meadows near mixed woods. It is known (G. Hilchie), Crooked Creek (T. Pike), 32 from the vicinities of Pocahontas (K. Bow¬ km E of Grand Prairie (T. Pike), MacLean man), Rock Lake (T. Pike) and Cadomin (T. Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon and Boun¬ Pike). dary Lake. BEAN'S CHECKERSPOT (Euphydryas editha beani). July 2. It is known only from SILVER-BORDERED FRITILLARY (Boloria the Pocahontas vicinity (K. Bowman). selene atrocostalis). June 11-August 15. Found in moist areas along edges of mixed JENISTAI FRITILLARY (Boloria beliona deciduous woods where the food plants, jenistai). May-August 27. Found in aspen violets and strawberries, are common. It is woods where violets, the food plants, are known from the vicinities of Hilliard's Bay common. It is known from the vicinities of on Lesser Slave Lake (W. Smith), Evansburg Bilby (D. Mackie), Flatbush (R. Carcasson), (T. Pike), Beach Corner (T. Pike), 19 km W along the Waskahigan River near Little of Wildwood (T. Pike), Little Smoky, Smoky and near MacLean Creek 30 km N MacLean Creek, 23 km WSW of Clear of Bear Canyon. Prairie, Windfall, 32 km NNW of Windfall, FRIGGA FRITILLARY (Boloria frigga saga). 8 km E of Whitecourt (T. Pike), Fox Creek, May 29-August 17. Found in grassy black 46 km SE of Fox Creek, Crooked Creek (T. spruce-tamarack bogs where willows and Pike), Robb (T. Pike) and 32 km W of Edson cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) are (T. Pike). common. It is known from the vicinities of MORMON FRITILLARY (Speyeria mor- Pocahontas (K. Bowman), Robb (T. Pike), monia eurynome). July 8-August 15. Found Rock Lake (T. Pike), junction of the commonly in parkland areas or in open and Rock Lake roads (T. aspen woods. It is known from the Pike), Evansburg (T. Pike), 19 km W of vicinities of Pocahontas (K. Bowman), the Wildwood (T. Pil

FREIJA FRITILLARY (Boloria freija freija). ATLANTIS FRITILLARY (Speyeria atlantis). May 14-June 19. Found in open, dry pine This group appears to be represented woods adjacent to black spruce bogs, es¬ locally by three closely related subspecies. pecially common on stabilized sand All three fly near aspen woods where the dunes. It is known from the vicinities of food plants, violets, are common, but are Cadomin (K. Bowman), Robb (T. Pike), in different macrohabitats. Holland's Rock Lake (T. Pike), Flatbush (F. D. Johan- Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis hollan- son), 25 km NW of Whitecourt, near the di) is common in continuous aspen or mix¬ losegun River campground and Fox ed woods. It is known from the vicinities of Creek. Coalspur, Edson (R. L. Anderson), Wind¬ fall, 15 km N of Windfall, 30 km WNW of PURPLE LESSER FRITILLARY (Boloria Whitecourt, 19 km NW of Whitecourt, Pass titania grandis). July 12-August 27. Found Creek Tower, Fox Creek, 46 km SE of Fox in spruce, pine and mixed forest where Creek and the Kleskun Hills. It is known to willows, one of the food plants are com¬ fly from July 22 to August 27. mon. It is known from the vicinities of Flat¬ bush (D. Hughes), Bilby (D. Mackie), The range of Bean's Fritillary (Speyeria Whitecourt, 30 km WNW of Whitecourt, atlantis beani) apparently extends 15 km N of Windfall, Fox Creek, Pass Creek northward from southern Alberta along Tower, Kleskun Hills, 70 km S of Grande the mountains and thence eastward along

December, 1977 35(4) 217 Common Wood Nymph Gary Anweiler

the major river valleys such as the McLeod, 7. Found in open aspen woods or along Athabasca and Peace rivers. It is known the edges of aspen bluffs in parkland. It is from the vicinities of Pocahontas (K. Bow¬ known from tne vicinities of Bilby (D. man), Robb (C. D. Bird), MacLean Creek Mackie), and George Lake (T. Pike). 30 km N of Bear Canyon, and 26 km W of HYDASPE FRITILLARY (Speyeria hydaspe Clear Prairie. It is known to fly from July 7 sakuntala). August 20. It is known only to August 3. from the vicinity of Pocahontas (K. Bow¬ The Northwestern Silverspot (Speyeria man). atlantis Helena) however, seems to be restricted to the edge of aspen bluffs in rairie areas but more observations would SATYRIDAE — The Meadow Browns e needed to confirm this. Specimens ap¬ RINGLET (Coenonympha tullia inornata). proaching this subspecies are known from May 28-July 10. Found in prairie areas. It is the vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackle) and known from the vicinities of Bilby (D. Peace River (James Fletcher). The breaking Mackie), Evansburg (T. Pike), Nojack (T. of land for cultivation has possibly Pike), Crooked Creek (T. Pike), eliminated much of its former habitat. Beaverlodge (K. Bowman), Wembley (K. GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY (Speyeria Bowman), Peace River, Grimshaw and cybele pseudocarpenteri). July 30-August Bear Canyon.

218 Blue Jay COMMON WOOD NYMPH (Cercyonis Wildwood (T. Pike), Fox Creek, 19 km SE of pegala ino). July 22-24. Found in grassy Little Smoky, 13 km S of Edson (T. Pike), 5 clearjngs at the edges of aspen wooas. It is km W of Medicine Lodge (T. Pike), Rock known from the vicinity of Bilby (D. Lake (T. Pike), the junction of the Grand Mackie) and the Kleskun Hills. Cache and Rock Lake roads (T. Pike) and VARUNA ARCTIC (Oeneis uhleri varuna). Pocahontas (K. Bowman). June 8-July 1. Found in prairie clearings in RED DISKED ALPINE (Erebia discoidalis parkland areas. It is known from the macdunnoughi). May 18-June 19. Rarely vicinities of Peace River, Beaverlodge (C. seen in some years, but in others it is abun¬ L. Neilson), and Dunvegan (K. Bowman). dant in prairie meadows, along cutlines through aspen woods and occasionally in CARY'S ARCTIC (Oeneis chryxus). June dry pine woods, where grasses, the food 19-July 12. Found in lodgepole pine woods in areas of sandy soil. It is known only from plants, are abundant. It is known from the the vicinity of MacLean Creek 30 km N of vicinities of Flatbush (R. Carcasson, M. A. Bear Canyon, Cadomin (T. Pike) and Rock MacGregor), Rock Lake (T. Pike) and Fox Creek. Lake (T. Pike). The specimens from MacLean Creek closely resemble Oeneis chryxus caryi. Expected Species List MACOUN'S ARCTIC (Oeneis macounii). A number of additional species are still June 16-July 1. Found rarely in lodgepole likely to be found in the area. Most could pine and white spruce woods. It is known be near the limits of their range. Future from the vicinities of Bear Canyon and workers in the area should be on the Boundary Lake in the Peace River district. lookout for the Roadside Skipper This species is named in honour of the (Amblyscirtes vialis), Assiniboia Skipper famous Canadian naturalist, John Macoun (Hesperia comma assiniboia), Boreal (1831-1920), who explored the natural Skipper (Hesperia comma borealis), Garita history of that area off and on between Skipper (Oarisma garita), Two Banded 1872-1875. Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis), Northern Skipper (Polites draco), California White (Pieris JUTTA ARCTIC (Oeneis jutta). June 11-July sisymbril flavitincta), Phlaeas Copper 12. Found in black spruce bogs. It is known (Lycaena phlaeas arethusa), Snow's from the vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), 19 Copper (Lycaena snowi). Great Copper km W of Wildwood (T. Pike), 13 km S of (Lycaena xanthoides), Rustic Arctic Blue Edson (T. Pike), 5 km W of Medicine Lodge (Plebejus aquilo rustica), American (T. Pike) and Fox Creek. Painted Lady (Cynthia virginiensis), BEAN'S ARCTIC (Oeneis melissa beanii. California Tortoise Shell (Nymphalis July 2-July 12. Found in mountain areas of californica), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta western Alberta. It is known only from the claudia claudia), Monarch (Danaus plexip- vicinity of Pocahontas (K. Bowman). pus plexippus), and the Alberta Arctic (Oeneis alberta alberta). BRUCE'S ARCTIC (Oeneis polixenes brucei). June 29-July 12. Found above timberline in alpine meadows. It is known 'CANADIAN ARCTIC GAS PIPELINE COM¬ from the vicinities of Roche Miette (K. MITTEE (eds.) 1973-1977. Arctic Bowman and Pocahontas (K. Bowman). Gas Biological Report Series. 37 Vols. Calgary COMMON ALPINE (Erebia epipsodea). May 28-July 12. Found commonly in open 2FERRIS, C. D. 1972. Notes on certain prairie ana near aspen bluffs in parkland. species of Colias (LEPIDOPTERA: Three collections were made in the Peace PIERIDAE) found in Wyoming and as¬ River area in 1883 but the collector is un¬ sociated regions. Bull. Allyn Mus., known. It is also known from the vicinities No. 6. 23 pp. of Beach Corner (T. Pike), Evansburg (T. 3HOOPER, R. R. 1973. Butterflies of Pike), Fox Creek, Little Smoky, Valleyview, Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Dept, Peace River, Grimshaw (T. Pike), of Natural Resources. Regina. 216 pp. Beaverlodge (K. Bowman), MacLean Creek 30 km N of Bear Canyon, 13 km S of 4HOWE, W. (ed.) 1975. The Butterflies Edson (T. Pike), Rock Lake (T. Pike), 5 km of North America. Doubleday.and W of Medicine Lodge (T. Pike), Cadomin Company, Inc. Garden City, New (T. Pike) and Pocahontas (K. Bowman). York 633 pp. 5MOSS, E. H. 1955. The vegetation of MANCINUS ALPINE (Erebia disa man- Alberta. Bot. Rev. 21(9): 493-567. cinus). June 3-July 5. Found occasionally in black spruce woods or black spruce- 6MOSS, E. H. 1959. Flora of Alberta. sphagnum bogs. It is known from the University of Toronto Press, Tor¬ vicinities of Bilby (D. Mackie), 19 km W of onto. 546 pp.

December, 1977 35(4) 219