SKIPPERS AND BUTTERFLIES OF

IORBERT G. KONDLA, Parks Division, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife, :dmonton, Alberta, and CHARLES D. BIRD, Department of Biology, University f Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.

Situated in the of the dolomite while sandstone and shale tocky Mountains, approximately 70 is more prevalent in the eastern por¬ ;ilometres southwest of Calgary, tion. (ananaskis Provincial Park is the Limited climatic data indicates that post recent addition to the parks the park is situated in a relatively system and was established by an cool and moist portion of the front Drder-in-Council in the fall of 1977. ranges. In consequence the ^uch of the current park area of vegetation consists largely of cool, j0,308 ha has been investigated from moist spruce-fir forest of the 3 natural resource viewpoint as part subalpine zone. These forests are )f the planning and development opened at irregular intervals by snow Drocess. Figure 1 shows the area for avalanches, creating linear patches which extensive resource infor- of young trees, shrubland or pation (including butterflies and meadows; depending on slope, skippers) is available. This paper aspect, elevation, and avalanche sssentially deals with the white area frequency. Much of this zone is ather than the total existing park. covered by fire-successional The park is a high elevation en- lodgepole pine forests. Landslides ironment for butterflies; the lowest and bedrock outcrops also provide oint being 1,604 m along the breaks in the subalpine forest. ^ananaskis River near the con- Depending on slope exposure, the uence with King Creek while the climatic forestline occurs roughly ighest point is 3,344 m on Mt. Sir from 2,098 m to 2,219 m. Above this )ouglas. The mountain ranges run in altitude, forest gives way to isolated northwest-southeast direction and clumps of trees, then isolated and lenerally have summit elevations depauperate trees, and finally the etween 2,432 m and 3,040 m while alpine zone with treeless vegetation he intervening valleys have floor consisting of meadows, heaths, and levations between 1,672 m and rocklands. Major variation in plant ,976 m. communities is dramatic over short Much of the park has slopes in ex- distances due to wind, snow, and :ess of 30% and most of the typical microtopography. Increasing altitude :ordilleran landforms including leads to open vegetation dominated :irques, hanging valleys, talus by rock-dwelling lichens and lopes, sheer rock faces, and alluvial cushion-forming plants until bare ans as well as a variety of ice con- rock, permanent snowbanks, and act and glacio-fluvial deposits that glaciers comprise the environment. late from the Wisconsin glaciation, An interesting aspect of 'he bedrock of the western portion is Kananaskis Park is the abundance of )redominantly limestone and wetlands resulting from beaver ac- une, 1979. 37(2) 73 N Banff \ *> yNationaM '\\.Park C

i

Mud Lake Kananaskis Burstall Lakes

▲ MT BLACK PRINCE

'<5 Maude Lake

LawsonX'O MT INVINCIBLE Lake MT NDEFATIGABLE Kananaskis Lakes

Three Isle Lake

Hidden Lake

Aster Lake

'MT. FOCH

Figure 1 Kananaskis Provincial Park place names used in this paper- Roughly one third of the study area consists of glaciers, permanent snow banks, rock barrens and water; habitat unsuited for butterflies.

10 kilometres J

tivity and groundwater discharge in In the park by two stands of Douglait the more gently sloping portions of fir forest — along the King Cree1 the valleys. These generally linear gorge and on the lower south slopi wetlands support spruce and pine of Mt. Indefatigable. Meadows ant bogs, tall shrub fens, low shrub fens dry grasslands at the lowe with willows and bog birch, and elevations are restricted to smal sedge fens. areas, usually on steep south and Montane habitats are represented west facing slopes.

74 Blue Jay Major sources of information on PECK’S SKIPPER (Polites coras): Known e natural resources of the park are from one collection by Shigematsu at ovided by Bird5, Jaques10 Highwood Pass on 7 July 1968. Dndla12, Milus Tress BarrorP4, DRACO SKIPPER (Polites draco): This in¬ ;regrine Research and Documen- sect was found to be abundant in a tion16, and Trottier2"!. Figures 2 to 5 meadow east of the Lower Kananaskis ustrate major butterfly habitats. Lake by Kondla on 25 June and 21 July 1977. formation Base MANITOBA SKIPPER (Hesperia comma manitoba): Apparently uncommon and The first collections were made by local; known from a few collections by . B. Sanson in 1922. No other Anderson and Shigematsu at Highwood Elections are known until 1955 Pass and by Wiseley near the east side of hen R. Coyles and J. R. McGillis Lower Kananaskis Lake. This species ap¬ )llected at Highwood Pass. Sub- pears to prefer open, grass-rich habitats jquently the Highwood Pass has and is therefore most likely to be seen at 3en collected by R. L. Anderson in higher elevations in the alpine and upper )58, 1959, 1960, and 1961; J. Legge subalpine zone. Flight records 7 July to 9 August. 1961, 1962, and 1971; S. ligematsu in 1968, 1971, and 1972; ARCTIC SKIPPER (Carterocephalos . D. Bird in 1975; H. Pinel in 1975 palaemon mandan): Known from a 7 id 1976; A. Wisely in 1976; and N. August 1972 collection by Shigematsu and a 24 July collection by Lein at High¬ jndla and M. R. Lein in 1977. Other wood Pass and a collection by Kondla on eas of the park have had minor 9 June at King Creek fan. Occasional illections by R. L. Anderson, A. I. W. sight records in clearings at lower acKenzie, S. Shigematsu, A. D. elevations during 1977. ird, and C. D. Bird. Major collec- PERSIUS DUSKY WING (Erynnis persius): Dns from other areas of the park Specimens collected at Highwood Pass ave been made by A. Wiseley in (Shigematsu), King Creek fan (Wiseley ?76 during a wildlife inventory for and Kondla), and the lower Boulton Creek e Parks Division and by N. Kondla area (Kondla). Seen regularly on dry open jring a reconnaissance vegetation hillsides at lower elevations. Flight jrvey in 1977, also for the Parks records 9 June to 11 July. ivision. Previous reports on butter¬ ies of this area are an annotated list PAPILIONIDAE — Swallowtails / Bird5 and an annotated list of CLOUDED PARNASSIAN (Parnassius (iseley’s collections and obser- phoebus smintheus): Strangely unrepor¬ ations15. ted prior to 1976 despite the many Thus, this paper is based on collections in suitable habitat of the High¬ Dllections by 13 people, in 13 dif- wood Pass. Reported by Wiseley from a irent years. All records except the number of locations in 1976 but Kondla lourning Cloak are supported by found it at only one alpine location just west of Mt. Indefatigable in 1977 despite Ducher specimens examined by visits to apparently suitable habitat under ither of the present writers. Records ideal weather conditions. Flight records re available from the beginning of 16 July to 26 September. ie flight season in late May to the GOTHIC SWALLOWTAIL (Papilio id of September. zelicaon gothica): Known from one collection by Wiseley on 15 July 1976 NE of the Lower Kananaskis Lake.

\nnotated List PIERIDAE — Whites, Sulphurs and IESPERIIDAE — Skippers Marbles

une, 1979. 37(2) 75 Figure 2: Aerial view of conifer bog habitat for Jutta Arctic, birch-willow fen habitat Frigga Fritillary, and lodgepole pine habitat for Purple Lesser Fritillary in the Kananasi valley.

CALIFORNIA WHITE (Pieris sisymbrii ORANGE ALFALFA BUTTERFLY (Colil flavitincta): Two fresh females were eurytheme eurytheme): Known only fro: collected by Kondla on 9 June 1977 at one fresh male caught by Kondla 25 Jur King Creek fan and King Creek gorge. 1977 on King Creek fan. Apparently Since previous investigators have not stray migrant since the species is n been in the field so early, the species may known to overwinter in Alberta. be more abundant here than these ELIS SULPHUR (Colias meadii elis records indicate. Collected at Highwood Pass by Coyl WESTERN CHECKERED WHITE (Pieris Anderson, Legge, Shigematsu, Bir protodice occidentalis): Reported by Wiseley, Lein and Kondla. Also found Coyles, McGillis, Bird and Lein at High- Mt. Invincible and SE of Low*] wood Pass. Also reported by Wiseley near Kananaskis Lake by Wiseley as well as c the Lower Kananaskis Lake and Kondla at Mt. Indefatigable by Kondla. Apparently the Upper Kananaskis Lake. Flight fairly common species of alpine an records 24 July to 6 September. subalpine meadows. Flight records 8 Ju to 6 September. MUSTARD WHITE (Pieris napi): Found near Fox Creek by Wiseley and at several YELLOW ALFALFA BUTTERFLY (Colic locations east of Lower Kananaskis Lake philodice eriphyle): A few scattere by Kondla. Flight records 9 June to 21 collections by McGillis, MacKenzie an July. Wiseley. Flight records 7 July to 2 August. CABBAGE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rapae): This introduced species was found by PINK-EDGED SULPHUR (Colias interic\ Kondla in a willow/sedge fen at East Elk interior): Lein collected 2 fresh males o Pass on 7 August 1977 and along the 24 July 1977 at Highwood Pass. weedy edge of Upper Kananaskis Lake on ALEXANDRA SULPHUR (Colias alexan 23 August 1977. dra Christina): No known records .prior t<

76 Blue Ja igure 3: South half of King Creek fan. Great diversity of habitats at a relatively low levation makes this one of the most productive areas for butterflies. Some species to e found here are Colorado Orange-tip, Gillett’s Checkerspot, and Freija Fritillary.

976. Collected by Wiseley and by Kondla CREUSA MARBLE (Euchloe creusa): t a few lower locations east of the lakes, Reported from Highwood Pass by Ander¬ light records 25 June to 26 September. son, Pinel, Wiseley and Lein. Also located ELIDNE SULPHUR (Colias pelidne by Wiseley at Fox Creek and by Kondla at linisni Bean): Numerous records from King Creek fan and Boulton Creek fan. lighwood Pass by Coyles, Anderson, Flight records 14 June to 24 July. higematsu, Legge, and Bird. Also found LYCAENiDAE — Gossamer-winged n Mt. Indefatigable by Kondla. An alpine Butterflies nd upper subalpine zone species. Flight scords 20 July to 6 September. MARIPOSA COPPER (Lycaena mariposa IASTES SULPHUR (Colias nastes mariposa): Not reported until 1976 when treckeri): Many records from Highwood Wiseley found it one mile SE of Lower ’ass by Coyles, Anderson, Shigematsu, Kananaskis Lake. Also found in wetlands ’inel, Wiseley and Lein. A ubiquitous and clearings in 1977 by Kondla. Flight pecies of alpine meadows. Found on Mt. records 17 July to 22 August. ndefatigable by Kondla. Flight records 22 ARETHUSA COPPER (Lycaena phlaeas luly to 29 August. arethusa): So far known only from one collection by Anderson on 9 August 1958 COLORADO ORANGE-TIP (Anthocaris ara julia): Not reported until 1976 when at Highwood Pass. Wiseley found it at King Creek fan, Fox SNOW’S COPPER (Lycaena snowi )reek, and lower Boulton Creek. A snowi): First found by Sanson in Upper southern species of montane habitats Kananaskis Pass in 19224. Subsequently lear the northern limit of its range here. reported by Shigematsu and Lein for Mso found in 1977 by Kondla at King Highwood Pass and Kondla in an alpine >eek fan. Flight records 9 June to 17 area just west of Mt. Indefatigable. Flight July. records 24 July to 11 August.

une, 1979. 37(2) 77 Western Tailed Blue C. R. Wersh

SCUDDER’S BLUE (Lycaeides ARCTIC BLUE (Plebejus aquilo megalq j argyrognomon scudderii): Reported by Found at Highwood Pass by Anderso i Anderson, Kondla, Shigematsu, and Coyles, Kondla and Lein. Also recorde Wiseley from Highwood Pass, west of Mt. by Kondla and by Wiseley east of tn ' Indefatigable, lower Smith-Dorrien valley lakes and by Kondla west of Mt. 1^1 and numerous locations in the defatigable and Elk Pass. Fairly commo Kananaskis valley east of the lakes. Most in the lower alpine and upper subalpin abundant in open, dry areas at lower zones although it is present in even th elevations. Flight records 22 July to 2 Sep¬ lowest areas of the park. Flight records 2 tember. July to 31 August. GREENISH BLUE (Plebejus saepiolus WESTERN TAILED BLUE (Everes amyr < arnica): Known from collections by tula albrighti): Collected by Shigematsfj MacKenzie, Wiseley, and Kondla east of and Lein at Highwood Pass and Wiselel the lakes and by Kondla in an alpine area on the north side of the Upper Kananaski! at Lawson Lake. Flight records 14 June to Lake. Flight records 4 July to 24 July. \\ 18 August. SILVERY BLUE (Glaucopsyche lygdamub AC MON BLUE (Plebejus acmon lutzi): couperi): Reported from Highwood Pas The only record so far is one fresh male by MacKenzie, Pinel, and Shigematsui taken by Kondla on 22 July 1977 in an Taken at a number of localities east of th< open pine bog near Whiteman Creek. lakes by Kondla and by Wiseley as well a:

78 Blue Jc 11/ Wiseley in the Elk Pass and by Kondla lakes by A. D. Bird, Shigematsu, Wiseley, In Mt. Indefatigable. Most often seen in and Kondla. Also recorded west of Mt. In¬ ry clearings at lower elevations. Flight defatigable and upper Smuts Creek by jlcords 30 May to 31 July. Kondla. Flight records 25 June to 19 August. jllYMPHALIDAE — Brush-footed ANICIA CHECKERSPOT (Euphydryas I Butterflies anicia anicia): Reported by MacKenzie, l|ED ADMIRAL (Vanessa atalanta rubria): Shigematsu, Pinel, and Kondla at High¬ nly record to date is one worn specimen wood Pass. Also found at a number of y Kondla in a large meadow east of the sites east of the lakes by Wiseley and by ower Kananaskis Lake on 25 June 1977. Kondla. Flight records 25 June to 18 IILBERT’S TORTOISE-SHELL (Nym- August. halis milberti furcillata): Found in almost BEAN’S CHECKERSPOT (Euphydryas II habitats by Coyles, Bird, Anderson, editha beani): This alpine species has /iseley, Kondla, and Lein at Highwood only been reported from Highwood Pass ass, Mt. Invincible, Mud Lake, Smith- by Pinel on 24 July 1976. orrien valley, King Creek fan, and east of GILLETT’S CHECKERSPOT (Euphydryas le lakes. Flight records 23 May to 25 Sep- gilletti): Relatively few records of this jm ber. local species are available. It has been 10URNING CLOAK (Nymphalis antiopa found at Highwood Pass by Legge and at ntiopa): The only report is a sight record a few locations east of the lakes by y Kondla on 7 June 1977 on King Creek Mackenzie, Wiseley, and Kondla. Flight an. records 25 June to 22 July. ATYR ANGLE-WING (Polygonia satyrus SILVER-BORDERED FRITILLARY (Boloria atyrus): Only two records; Wiseley found selene): Reported from three locations iis species on the east side of Lower east of the lakes by Wiseley and by kananaskis Lake on 31 August 1976 and Kondla. Apparently a species of low shrub kondla found it in subalpine forest near fens in this area. Flight records 17 July to laude Lake on 10 August 1977. 21 August. The Alberta populations of this EPHYR ANGLE-WING (Polygonia species have been most frequently ephyrus): Found by Bird at Highwood referred to the subspecies atrocostalisis ’ass on 6 September 1975 and by Kondla but Kohler^ presents information to in¬ rom 23 May to 10 June 1977 at upper dicate that Alberta material represents a Imith-Dorrien valley, King Creek gorge, wide band of intergradation between the ind Upper Kananaskis Lake. subspecies tollandensis and atrocostalis. )AMOETAS CHECKERSPOT (Chlosyne MEADOW FRITILLARY (Boloria bellona lamoetas): This local and rare species jenistai): Reported by MacKenzie on 6 las so far only been found by Shigematsu July 1963 east of the lakes. it Highwood Pass on 21 July 1971. FRIGGA FRITILLARY (Boloria frigga tOCKY MOUNTAIN CHECKERSPOT saga): Found by MacKenzie and by Chlosyne palla calydon): Only two Kondla in wetlands east of the lake. Very ecords available. Anderson found it 26 abundant in low shrub fens dominated by luly 1959 at Highwood Pass and MacKen- bog birch. Flight records 9 June to 6 July. :ie found it at the lakes on 6 July 1963. FREIJA FRITILLARY (Boloria freija freija): This early flying species was found by ’EARL CRESCENT (Phyciodes tharos Kondla in most open habitats at King haros): The only known occurrence Creek fan on 9 June 1977. :omes from a report by Wiseley, 1 July 976 at Fox Creek. PURPLE LESSER FRITILLARY (Boloria titania grandis): Specimen and sight MEADOW CRESCENT (Phyciodes cam- records too numerous to detail. Present oestris campestris): Collected at High- abundantly in almost all forested portions Nood Pass by Shigematsu and Lein. of the park. Flight records 15 July to 29 round at numerous places east of the August.

June, 1979. 37(2) 79 V •

WSMSBM

Figure 4: Barren rock cliffs above ridge with alpine and upper subalpine habitats. Ride is habitat for such species as Clouded Parnassian, Nastes Sulphur, Snow’s Copper, ar\ Arctic Blue.

EDWARD’S FRITILLARY (Speyeria ed- Claudia): One report by MacKenzie on wardsii): Only known from one specimen July 1963 near the lakes. by MacKenzie on 6 July 1963 east of the lakes. SATYRIDAE — Meadow Browns ZERENE FRITILLARY (Speyeria zerene SMALL WOOD NYMPH (Cercyonis oetu\ garretti): Shigematsu found one at High- charon): Reported by Anderson for Higf wood Pass on 7 July 1968. wood Pass on 9 August 1958 and Kondl i BEANS’S FRITILLARY (Speyeria atlantis on 19 August on King Creek fan. beani): Found at many lower elevation MACOUN’S ARCTIC (Oenei macounii\ sites in the Kananaskis valley by McKen¬ Reported by MacKenzie on 6 July 19C zie, Shigematsu, Wiseley, and Kondla. east of the Lower Kananaskis Lake. Flight records 25 June to 31 August. CHRYXUS ARCTIC (Oeneis chryxui HYDASPE FRITILLARY (Speyeria chryxus): Found at Highwood Pass b hydaspe sakuntala): This distinctive Coyles, Wiseley, Kondla and Lein as welt fritillary was discovered by Kondla on 5 as at a number of sites in the Kananaski: August 1977 north west of the Upper valley by MacKenzie, Wiseley, an< Kananaskis Lake and at King Creek fan Kondla. Flight records 14 June to S| on 19 August 1977. August. MORMONIA FRITILLARY (Speyeria mor- JUTTA ARCTIC (Oeneis jutta chermocki): monia eurynome): Reported by Sanson, This very dark subspecies was located by MacKenzie, Pinel, Wiseley, and Kondla Kondla in fens and bogs of the area east! from most parts of the park up to tim¬ of the Lower Kananaskis Lake. Most berline. Flight records 15 July to 22 frequently seen in open pine and spruce August. bog margins of the linear wetlands. Flight VARIEGATED FRITILLARY (Euptoieta records 9 June to 22 July.

80 Blue Jay BEAN’S ARCTIC (Oeneis melissa beani): ening of the flight period as well as a Only found by Pinel at Highwood Pass on pronounced seasonal shift in the 24 July 1976. peak flight period in relation to in¬ BRUCE’S ARCTIC (Oeneis polixenes creasing altitude. The peak number brucei): The only report so far is by of species decreases noticeably with Wiseley at Highwood Pass on 8 July 1976. increasing altitude when the three COMMON ALPINE (Erebia epipsodea mountain areas are compared but epipsodea): Reported from Highwood there is no significant difference bet¬ Pass by Coyles, Pinel, Wiseley, and Lein. ween Banff and Calgary. The peak Found at a number of locations in the Calgary flight period is substantially Kananaskis valley by Wiseley and by Kondla. Flight records 14 June to 9 earlier than the mountain areas. August. These differences may be at¬ tributed to the greater climatic, Discussion habitat, and faunal differences bet¬ ween Calgary and mountain areas. In As reported in the annotated list, contrast, Kananaskis butterfly the known Rhopaloceran fauna of phenology parameters are consist¬ the park consists of 59 species in 6 of ently intermediate in comparison to the 7 families reported for Alberta. In Banff and Plateau Mountain; a terms of the number of species per situation that is expected due to the family, the Alberta fauna is represen¬ intermediate environmental and tative of the ranking of families for geographic position of Kananaskis. and the U.S.A. The only dif¬ ference is that in the continental The absence of certain species is fauna the Lycaenidae contains more as interesting as is the presence of species than the Nymphalidae. others. For example, a number of widespread and generally abundant As shown in Table 1, the situation species have not been reported in in the park is substantially different. the park. These include the Tiger In the park fauna, the families Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Spring Pieridae, Nymphalidae, and Azure (Celastrina argiolus), White Satyridae form a significantly larger Admiral (Limenitis arthemis), Hoary portion of the fauna than they do in Elfin (Callophrys polios), Brown Elfin the provincial fauna. In contrast, the (Callophrys augustinus), Western Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae are pro¬ Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon), portionally less represented in the Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia), and park fauna. Dreamy Dusky Wing (Erynnis icelus). A preliminary analysis of reported Sufficient field research was under¬ butterfly faunas of mountain areas in taken by Kondla at suitable times and western North America1 2 6 7 15 20 habitats to indicate that these shows a consistently greater percen¬ species must be very local if they are tage of Nymphalidae and a lesser indeed present in the park. percentage of Hesperiidae and The absence of the Tiger Lycaenidae in the more northerly Swallowtail, Spring Azure, White Ad¬ mountain areas as compared with miral, and Dreamy Dusky Wing can the more southerly areas. be explained by the effective ab¬ Table 2 compares the elevation sence of poplar forest habitat with its and butterfly phenology of the park associated larval food plants. with Banff National Park2, Plateau Poplars are present only in scattered Mountain1, and Calgary3. The data small stands and isolated trees. show a clear and dramatic short¬ Similarly the lack of grasslands,

June, 1979. 37(2) 81 Figure 5: View from the east cirque of Highwood Pass. Alpine meadows, willow thickets', avalanched alpine fir, and spruce-alpine-fir larch forests provide a variety of butterfly habitats. Typical species of this area are Chryxus Arctic, Milbert’s Tortoise-shell; Pelidne Sulphur, and Elis Sulphur.

82 Blue Jay TABLE 1: Comparison of Kananaskis Provincial Park and total provincial Rhopaloceran fauna.

FAMILY PARK PROVINCE No. of Percent No. of Percent Species of Fauna Species of Fauna Hesperiidae 5 8% 27 17% Papilionidae 2 3% 8 5% Pieridae 13 22% 19 13% Lycaenidae 9 15% 36 24% Nymphalidae 23 39% 46 30% Dandaidae 0 0 1 0.6% Satyridae 7 12% 15 10%

other than isolated patches, can be The park has a relatively poor used to explain the absence of representation of the arctic-alpine Ringlets. tundra butterfly fauna recently The elfins represent a more dif¬ studied by Pike17. This may be merely ficult problem. Apparently suitable an artifact of the amount of research which has been conducted in the patches of bearberry (Arctostaphylos alpine zone. However, when one con¬ uva-ursi) are widespread in the lower siders the amount and distribution of elevation lodgepole pine forests and alpine tundra in the park, this may be should theoretically support Hoary a real situation. At best, the alpine Elfins and Brown Elfins. Caterpillars tundra butterfly fauna of the park will of the Western Pine Elfin have a be local in the small patches of such limitless food supply in the large habitat which is available. Ex¬ forests of lodgepole pine. Although cessively steep slopes prevent admittedly conjectural, the absence establishment of rich alpine tundra, of these species may be attributed to vegetation which is required by some climate. The climatic climax forests species and also severely constrains of the areas currently occupied by research. The highly calcareous lodgepole pine, are spruce-fir forests bedrock which predominates in the which are indicative of cool, moist park is not conducive to good conditions. Similarly the growths of dark lichens and other predominant understory plant of the plants which are a characteristic pine forest is grouseberry (Vac- feature of fellfields that support good cinium scoparium) — a plant usually populations of species such as associated with high elevations and Boloria alberta, Oeneis melissa, and indicative of cool, moist conditions. Euphydryas edit ha. Available information, although unbalanced, indicates greater variety A large volume of recent research and abundance of alpine butterflies has shown that many ecosystems are on the shales of the Highwood Pass dependent on or subject to relatively when compared with the limestones frequent fires. This is certainly true and dolomites that predominate in for the mountains of southwestern the more westerly portions of the Alberta9 13 19. Butterflies are essen¬ park. However, this trend is suppor¬ tially herbivorous insects and insofar ted by observations elsewhere in the as fire determines the distribution of mountains of Alberta. food plants in space and time, fire

June, 1979. 37(2) 83 TABLE 2: Butterfly phenology and elevations of four Alberta Areas.

Flight Peak No. Peak Period of Flight Approximate AREA (days) Species Period Elevation (m) Calgary 200 45 mid-June 919 to 1,067 165 46 mid-July 1,341 and up Kananaskis Provincial Park 122 34 late July 1,615 and up Plateau Mountain 85 28 early August 2,438

must be an important factor in butter¬ variety: extensive coniferous forest fly ecology. A recent literature review with low plant species diversity and of butterfly ecology by Gilbert and cool, moist microclimate; rock Singer^ indicates that this concept barrens; water; glaciers; and peren¬ has not been explored by lepidop- nial snowbanks. Certain alpine areas terists. In Kananaskis Provincial such as Highwood Pass support Park, forest fires are especially im¬ relatively rich butterfly populations. portant in creating the sunny, open At lower elevations, the most produc¬ habitats which support the greatest tive habitats are open meadows, variety and most concentrated shrublands, and sparsely treed to populations of butterflies. Fire also non-treed wetlands. depresses treeline for a substantial time, thus providing additional alpine habitat for a number of species. iBIRD, C. D. 1975a. A calendar of butter¬ Other major influences on the park flies and skippers of the alpine area butterfly fauna are beaver activity, of Plateau Mountain. Alberta groundwater discharge, colluvial Naturalist 5:26-28. action, snow avalanches. All these 2BIRD, C. D. 1975b. A calendar of the factors, singly or in conjunction with skippers and butterflies of Banff fire provide a variety of non-forest National Park. Alberta Naturalist 5:71- habitats. With the exception of in¬ 75, creased water levels in the 3BIRD, C. D. 1975c. A revised calender of Kananaskis Lakes, man has had the butterflies and skippers of relatively little widespread influence Calgary. Calgary Field Naturalist on the butterfly fauna. Linear 6:312-314. clearings that result from powerline 4BIRD, C. D. 1976. Rhopalocera in the N. right-of-ways, trails, and old roads B. Sanson Collection. Journal of the are actually superior places to ob¬ Lepidoperists’ Society 30:201-206. serve butterflies since the insects ap¬ 5BIRD, C. D. 1977. The lichens, parently treat them as natural bryophytes, and butterflies of the openings in the forest canopy. proposed park in the Kananaskis Lakes area. Unpublished report for In general, the park is poor butter¬ Parks Planning and Design Branch; fly habitat, similar to the situation Alberta Recreation, Parks and reported by Tilden and Huntzinger2o Widlife. 76 pp. for Crater Lake National Park. Much 6EMMEL, T. C. 1964. The ecology and of the park supports habitats foreign distribution of butterflies in a mon¬ to good butterfly populations and tane community near Florissant,

84 Blue Jay Colorado. American Midland 16PEREGRINE RESEARCH AND Naturalist 72:358-73. DOCUMENTATION LTD. 1977. Report on the vertebrate fauna of 7EMMEL, T. C. and J. F. EMMEL. 1962. Kananaskis Provincial Park Un¬ Ecological studies of Rhopalocera in published report for Parks Planning a high Sierran community — Donner and Design Branch; Alberta Pass, California. I. Butterfly Recreation Parks and Wildlife. associations and distributional fac¬ (Volume 1-322 pp, Volume 2-405 pp). tors. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 16:23-44. 17PIKE, E. M. 1978. Origin of tundra butter¬ flies in Alberta, Canada and their 8GILBERT L. E. and M. C. SINGER. 1975. Butterfly ecology. Annual Review of significance in the study of refugia of Wisconsin age. M.Sc. Thesis, Univer¬ Ecology and Systematics 6:365-397. sity of Alberta. 137 pp. 9HABECK, J. R. and R. W. MUTCH. 1973. 18SHEPARD, J. H. 1975. Genus Boloria Fire dependent forests in the northern Reuss. Pp. 243-252 in Howe, W. H. Rocky Mountains. Journal of Quater¬ (ed.) The butterflies of North America. nary Research 3:408-424. Doubleday and Co., Inc., Garden City, OJAQUES, D. 1977. A preliminary New York. checklist of vascular plants in the 19TANDE, G. F. 1977. A fire history of the Kananaskis Lakes Provincial Park coniferous forests around Jasper with special reference to rare or townsite, , disjunct species and plant Alberta. M.Sc. Thesis, University of associations. Unpublished report for Alberta. 169 pp. Parks Planning and Design Branch, Alberta Recreation, Parks and 20TILDEN, J. W. and D. H. HUNTZINGER. Wildlife. 59 pp. 1977. The butterflies of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Journal of 1KOHLER, S. 1977. Revision of North Research on the Lepidoptera 16:176- American Boloria selene (Nym- 192. phalidae) with description of a new subspecies. Journal of the Lepidop¬ 21TROTTIER, G. C. 1972. Ecology of the terists’ Society 31:243-268. alpine vegetation of Highwood Pass 2KONDLA, N. G. 1978. An overview Alberta. M.Sc. Thesis, University of vegetation survey of Kananaskis Calgary. 229 pp. Provincial Park. Unpublished report for Parks Planning and Design Branch; Alberta Recreation, Parks and Wildlife. 123 pp. 3MacKENZIE, G. A. 1973. The fire ecology of the forests of Waterton Lakes National Park. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Calgary. 199^p. |4MILUS TRESS BARRON LTD. 1976. Geology, soils, surficial deposits, and landform inventory and mapping: Kananaskis Provincial Park. Un¬ published report for Parks Planning and Design Branch; Alberta Recreation, Parks and Wildlife. 162 pp. 5OPLER, P. A. and R. L. LANGSTON. 1968. A distributional analysis of the butterflies of Contra Costa County, California. Journal of the Lepidop¬ terists’ Society 22:89-107. Alexandra Sulphur C. R. Wershler

une, 1979. 37(2) 85