Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future BUTTERFLY INVENTORY OF THE UPPER FRASER RIVER BASIN Crispin S. Guppy - March 31, 2002
Arthropods are animals with an external (rather than internal) skeleton and jointed legs. They include the insects, springtails, centipedes, millipedes, sow bugs, amphipods, spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions, and various smaller groups. There are about 70,000 species of insects and other terrestrial and fresh water arthropods in British Columbia, 10-20% of which have never been recorded from BC and many of which have never been scientifically described. These species range from microscopic mites living between grains of soil to large butterflies that fly thousands of miles in their life-span. The exact number is unknown, because the presence of many species has yet to be documented. The undocumented species are primarily species known from elsewhere in North America, but also include hundreds of species new to science.
Butterflies are the most well documented insect group, and yet we still have insufficient information about many species to know whether their populations are stable, increasing or decreasing. The research required involves the collection of samples over many years in very large areas. Many people express the opinion that collecting of butterflies is no longer required, because “everything is known about butterflies”. For example: “I do not see that anything of consequence remains to be done, either in North America or Europe, with the butterflies, except to study their life-histories. Both continents have been well explored, and only now and then can a new species be found. … the study of the life history requires no special training. Anyone can take it up and follow it with a pleasure that rapidly becomes absorbing.” (Edwards 1884)
The author of this statement was William Henry Edwards, the greatest expert on North American butterflies in the late nineteenth century. Despite his expertise, his statement was wrong, because there was (and is) still a tremendous number of butterfly species and subspecies to document in North America. The book Butterflies of British Columbia (Guppy and Shepard 2001) recognised 187 species and 264 subspecies in BC. An astonishing 48% of the subspecies have been described and named since Edwards declared that everything was known about butterflies except life-histories. Eleven of the subspecies were named in 2001 in Butterflies of British Columbia. However, Edwards was correct in suggesting that the study of life histories is very rewarding, very little is known of the life histories of the butterflies in the Central Interior of BC. Most of what is known was discovered elsewhere in the world, and there is no certainty that the information is applicable for this area.
There are still a number of subspecies remaining unnamed in BC, mostly in the Central Interior and the Peace River. This purpose of this project was to gather sufficient information to describe and name some of these unnamed subspecies, and to further document where each butterfly species and subspecies occurs in the Upper Fraser River Basin (north, east and west of the junction of the Chilcotin River with the Fraser River). To complete this project will take many more years, because of the huge area involved. This project is one step in the acquisition of knowledge of the butterflies of this area. It has been supported by the Royal British Columbia Museum (Government of British Columbia) program titled “Living Landscapes: Upper Fraser Basin – Past, Present and Future”.
Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future Butterflies are small, and many are sedentary; many populations inhabit areas of a hectare or less. They do not always require large areas of suitable habitat, even small patches can be important. However some species, such as swallowtail butterflies, require large breeding areas because they fly a considerable distance between laying each egg or small group of eggs. Finding even a representative sample of these populations, so as to understand the overall range in which each butterfly species occurs, requires a sustained sampling effort.
A recent project to inventory butterflies and moths near Riske Creek in the Chilcotin lasted two years, and collected a total of 29,689 identified specimens from 623 light trap and aerial net samples. There were 59 field days with an average of 10.6 samples per day. The total inventory cost was $95,000. A collection of each species was deposited in the Royal British Columbia Museum, and other specimens were distributed to the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Arthropods and other collections. A total of 45 species of butterflies and 473 species of the larger moths were found, and several hundred species of very small moths were never sorted and identified due to insufficient funding. Forty rarely seen moth species were recorded, including several specimens of one species that was previously known in the world only from a single male. The cost and intensity of the inventory, which produced presence/absence data and a correlation with habitat types for each species, are typical of what is required for inventory of butterflies and moths in northern BC. In this Living Landscapes project I restricted my research to butterflies, to reduce the costs in time and money.
I inventoried butterflies throughout much of the Upper Fraser River Basin during the summer of 2001, travelling about 5,000 km by car. I also spent three days in Burns Lake in October 2001, assisting with RBCM public programming, and I will spend another three days of public programming in Quesnel in the spring of 2002. I also presented slide shows on butterflies to the Prince George Naturalists, the Annual General Meeting of the Federation of BC Naturalists in Williams Lake, the Quesnel Naturalists, the North Quesnel Neighborhood Association; and the Quesnel Garden Club. There were several notable findings, including: Thicket Hairstreak (Mitoura spinetorum) – I found two specimens west of Riske Creek, which is the second record from the Cariboo-Chilcotin. The other nearest records were Lillooet, Valemont, and Pine Pass. This is the second record from the Upper Fraser River Basin. European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) – I recorded this species from a highway ditch west of Vanderhoof. It is an introduced European pest of timothy hay crops. This is the first record from the Upper Fraser River Basin. Western Elfin (Incisalia iroides) – an undescribed subspecies occurs only in the central interior. I greatly expanded its known distribution during this project (south to near 100 Mile House, north to near Fort St. James). I am currently writing a formal scientific paper to name this subspecies. Square-spotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides) – an undescribed subspecies from the Chilcotin. This subspecies appears to have a world distribution limited to a very small area near Riske Creek. I greatly increased my sample size of this subspecies, so that now that I have a reasonable sample size. I am describing and naming this subspecies. There are three other specimens of this subspecies in the collection of Norbert Kondla; otherwise I have all known specimens. The Jutta Arctic (Oeneis jutta), the Dorcas Copper (Epidemia dorcas), and the Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis) have all been thought to be rare in the Central Interior. My collecting over the last several years, including this year, has shown that all three species are abundant and widely distributed in wetland habitats. The Jutta Arctic appears to be an unnamed subspecies, however I still need additional specimens to be certain of this. Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future Common Branded Skipper (Hesperia comma) – an apparently unnamed subspecies, or perhaps distinct species, was discovered near Quesnel during this study. Further collecting and study is needed before it can be named. Butterflies in the genus Pieris were collected for systematic (DNA) study by other researchers. In addition butterflies were collected for DNA comparative studies of the family Lycaenidae, the genus Limenitis, and the genus Polygonia. Scientific papers will be published by researchers elsewhere in the world, over the next few years, using data from these specimens.
Voucher specimens and associated data from this project are deposited in the entomology collections of the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria.
A pictorial summary of the 97 species of butterflies of the Upper Fraser River Basin follows, with a summary of the new information gathered as part of this project. For further information on each butterfly please consult Butterflies of British Columbia (Guppy and Shepard 2001 – see the reference list below).
Skippers, Family Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809
1. Northern Cloudywing, Thorybes pylades pylades (Scudder, 1870)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Generally distributed south of Hwy 16, also occurs in the Robson Valley. Fly May to July. Inhabit low elevation natural meadows and open forests. Caterpillars feed on clover and other wild legumes.
Male upper side
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2. Dreamy Duskywing, Erynnis icelus (Scudder & Burgess, l870)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Generally distributed south of Hwy 16, also occurs in the Robson Valley. Fly May to mid-July. Inhabit low elevation natural meadows and open forests. Caterpillars feed on willows.
Male upper side
3. Persius Duskywing, Erynnis persius (Scudder, 1863)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Generally distributed south of Hwy 16. Fly May to July. Inhabit low elevation natural meadows and open forests. Caterpillar foodplants are unknown for our area.
Male upper side
4. Grizzled Skipper, Pyrgus centaureae (Rambur, 1840) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies loki Evans, 1953 occurs in the Robson Valley, subspecies freija (Warren, [1924]) may occur in the northwest corner of the area because there is a known population just outside the study area. Fly in June and July. Inhabit alpine areas. Caterpillars feed on wild strawberry, and perhaps cloudberry.
Subspecies freija male upper side
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Subspecies loki male upper side
5. Arctic Skipper, Carterocephalis palaemon (Pallas, 1771)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Generally distributed in the area. Subspecies magnus (Mattoon & Tilden, 1998) is the name most applicable to our area at this time. Fly May to July. Inhabit low elevation natural meadows and open forests. Caterpillar foodplants are grasses.
Male upper side
6. European Skipper, Thymelicus lineola (Ochsenheimer, 1808)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The first known population in the area was found in a ditch along Highway 16 just west of Vanderhoof, as part of this study. European Skippers are an introduced butterfly that is probably fairly widespread in hayfields in the area, despite the lack of records. Fly June to August. Inhabit low elevation hayfields and ditches. Caterpillars are a minor pest on Timothy hay.
Male upper side
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7. Juba Skipper, Hesperia juba (Scudder,1874)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The most northern location in the province is at Sheep Creek Bridge across the Fraser River, at the southern edge of the study area. Fly in May and June, and then a second generation in August and September. Inhabit dry sagebrush grasslands. Caterpillars feed on bunchgrass. Male upper side
Male under side Male
8. Common Branded Skipper, Hesperia comma (Linnaeus, 1758)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies manitoba is considered to occur throughout the higher elevations of the area, with subspecies harpalus in the dry grasslands of the Chilcotin. Specimens collected near Quesnel during this study are an unnamed species or subspecies. The upper side of the wings is similar to that of the Juba Skipper. Fly in July and August. Inhabit grasslands and open forests. Caterpillars feed on grass. Subspecies “Quesnel” male under side
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Subspecies manitoba male under side Subspecies harpalus male underside
9. Peck’s Skipper, Polites peckius (W. Kirby, 1837)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs near Valemount, just south of the study area. Peck’s Skipper may occur in the Robson Valley portion of the Upper Fraser River Basin. Fly in June and July. Inhabit meadows. Caterpillars feed on the grass Leersia oryzoides.
Male upper side
10. Tawny-edged Skipper, Polites themistocles (Latreille, [1824])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs at low elevations, with the most northern known population, just south of Fort St. James, was found during this study. Subspecies turneri Freeman, 1944 is in this area. Fly in June and July. Inhabit wet meadows, ditches and wetland edges. Caterpillars probably feed on grass.
Male upper side
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11. Woodland Skipper, Ochlodes sylvanoides (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs along the Fraser River north to just north of Quesnel. Fly in July and August, and can be locally very abundant. Inhabit meadows, vacant lots, ditches, gardens and roadsides. Caterpillars feed on grass, including lawn grass.
Male upper side
12. Roadside Skipper, Amblyscirtes vialis (W. H. Edwards, 1862)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs along the Fraser River north to Quesnel. Fly in May and June. Inhabit meadows and hydro powerline cuts. Caterpillars may feed on grass.
Male upper side
Swallowtails and Apollos, Family Papilionidae Latreille, 1809
13. Rocky Mountain Apollo, Parnassius smintheus Doubleday, [1847]
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies magnus W. G. Wright, 1905 occurs in the Chilcotin grasslands and the alpine of the Ilgachuz Mountains. Fly in June and July in the Chilcotin grasslands, in August in the alpine. Inhabit dry grasslands and dry alpine meadows. Caterpillars feed on stonecrop (Sedum). Male upper side Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future
14. Baird’s Swallowtail, Papilio bairdii W. H. Edwards, 1869
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies oregonius W. H. Edwards, 1876 occurs along the Fraser River north to Soda Creek. Some books place oregonius as a subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail, Papilio machaon. Fly May to July, with a partial second generation in August and September. Inhabit dry grasslands. Caterpillars feed on taragon (Artemesia dracunculus).
Male upper side
15. Anise Swallowtail, Papilio zelicaon Lucas, 1852 Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Known from along the Fraser River and in the Cariboo Mountains, probably more widely distributed in the study area. Fly May to August, with the later dates at high elevation. Inhabit moist riparian areas, meadows, open forest and ridgelines. Caterpillars feed on cow parsnip, and garden plants such as parsley, carrot, and parsnip leaves. Male upper side
16. Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio canadensis Rothschild & Jordan, 1906 Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Generally distributed in the study area, our most commonly noticed butterfly. Local residents sometimes call this the “Monarch”, because of its large size and bright colour. The real Monarch does not occur as far north as the Upper Fraser River Basin. Fly in June and July. Inhabit meadows, roadsides, and open forests. Caterpillars feed on poplar and willow. Male upper side
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17. Two-tailed Swallowtail, Papilio multicaudatus W. Kirby, 1884
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies pusillus Austin & J. Emmel, 1998 occurs along the Fraser River north to Soda Creek. Fly May to July. Inhabit dry grasslands. Caterpillars feed on the shrub chokecherry.
Male upper side
Whites, Marbles and Sulphurs, Family Pieridae Duponchel, [1832]
18. Pine White, Neophasia menapia (C. & R. Felder, 1859) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies tau (Scudder, 1861) occurs in BC, and barely enters the study area, with one record from near Riske Creek in the south, and one record near Whitesail Lake in the northwest. Fly in July and August. Inhabit coniferous forests. Caterpillars feed on pines, firs, and hemlock.
Male
19. Western White, Pontia occidentalis occidentalis (Reakirt, 1866)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs at all elevations south of Highway 16, but is rare in most of the area. Fly from May to August, with two or more generations. Inhabit meadows, roadsides and open forests. Caterpillars feed on wild mustards, especially Arabis.
Male upper side
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20. Margined White, Pieris marginalis Scudder, 1861
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies tremblayi Eitschberger, 1983 occurs in the Robson Valley, from low elevation to the subalpine. Fly from June to August, with two generations. Inhabit wet meadows, streamsides and avalanche chutes. Caterpillars feed on wild mustards, especially Arabis.
Male under side
21. Mustard White, Pieris oleracea Harris, 1829 Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the study area, with the first records for the Fort St. James area being found in 2001. Our populations are apparently an unnamed subspecies. Fly in June and July, with a partial second generation in August. Inhabit wet meadows, streamsides and avalanche chutes. Caterpillars feed on wild mustards, especially Arabis.
Male under side
22. Cabbage White, Pieris rapae rapae Linnaeus, 1758 Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the study area where gardens are grown. This is an introduced European pest species, which in our area is dependent on gardens to maintain its populations. Fly from April to September, with several generations. Inhabit gardens and weedy human-disturbed areas. Caterpillars feed on cabbages, radish, cauliflower, and various introduced weeds in the mustard family.
Male under side
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23. Large Mable, Euchloe ausonides (Lucas, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies mayi F. & R. Chemock, 1940 occurs throughout the study area, except the Robson Valley. Fly in May and June. Inhabit meadows, roadsides, gravelly disturbed areas such has hydro powerlines, and streamsides. Caterpillars feed on wild mustards, especially Arabis.
Captured by a crab spider
24. Stella’s Orangetip, Anthocharis stella stella W. H. Edwards, 1879
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Rare in the Upper Fraser River Basin, but apparently scattered throughout. Fly from mid-April through May. Inhabit meadows, roadsides and streamsides. Caterpillars feed on wild mustards, especially Arabis.
Male upper side
25. Clouded Sulphur, Colias philodice Godart, [1819]
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Common at low to mid-elevations in most of the study area. Subspecies eriphyle was named from Lac La Hache. Fly from mid-April through September, with several generations. Inhabit meadows, roadsides and especially areas with alfalfa. Caterpillars feed on clovers and alfalfa.
Male upper side
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26. Alexandra’s Sulphur, Colias alexandra W. H. Edwards, 1863
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies columbiensis Ferris, 1973 occurs only in the Chilcotin in the world. Females are completely white. Fly in June and July. Inhabit low elevation meadows, roadsides and especially forest openings. Caterpillars feed on various wild legumes.
Male upper side
27. Arctic Sulphur, Colias nastes Boisduval, [1834]
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Subspecies streckeri Grum-Grschimaîlo, 1895 occurs in the alpine areas around the periphery of the study area. Fly in July and August. Inhabit alpine tundra. Caterpillars feed on wild legumes such as Astragalus and Oxytropis.
Male upper side
28. Pink-edged Sulphur, Colias interior Scudder, 1862
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin This is the most common and widespread sulphur at low elevations in the study area. Fly in June and July. Inhabit low elevation meadows, roadsides and especially forest openings. Caterpillars feed on wild blueberries.
Male upper side
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29. Giant Sulphur, Colias gigantea Strecker, 1900
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin This is rarely seen sulphur occurs at low elevations south of Highway 16. It is an unnamed subspecies, with yellow females, unlike subspecies mayi in northeast BC that usually has white females. Fly in June and July, occasionally August. Inhabit low elevation wet forest openings and streamsides. Caterpillars feed on willow.
Female under side
Gossamer Wings, Family Lycaenidae Leach, 1815 30. Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin There is one record of this species from within the study area, from the mountains north of Fort. St. James. All BC populations have traditionally been placed in subspecies arethusa (Wolley-Dod, 1907). Fly in August. Inhabit dry alpine tundra and scree slopes. Caterpillars probably feed on Oxyria or other Polygonaceae.
Male upper side 31. Lustrous Copper, Lycaena cuprea (W. H. Edwards, 1870) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin There is one record of this species from within the study area, from eastern edge of Tweedsmuir Park. All BC populations are subspecies henryae (Cadbury, 1937). Fly in August. Inhabit scree slopes. Caterpillars probably feed on Oxria or other Polygonaceae.
Male upper side
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32. Blue Copper, Lycaena heteronea heteronea Boisduval, 1852
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Within the study area this species was previously known to occur only in the Riske Creek and Williams Lake area. During this study its range was extended to west of Alexis Creek. Females are brown. Fly in June and July. Inhabit dry grasslands. Caterpillars feed on buckwheat (Eriogonum) flowers.
Male upper side
33. Dorcas Copper, Lycaena dorcas dorcas W. Kirby, 1837
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The Dorcas Copper has been thought to be very rare within the study area. During this study it was found to be very common from Quesnel northward. It inhabits almost every wetland in the area, in association with Potentilla palustris. The Dorcas Copper frequently flies with both Atlantis Fritillaries and Silver-bordered Fritillaries. Fly in July and August. Inhabit various types of wetlands.
Male upper side Caterpillars apparently feed on Potentilla palustris in the study area, rather than the Pentaphylloides floribunda that most books say is its only foodplant.
Male under side
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34. Purplish Copper, Lycaena helloides (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Quesnel is the most northern location in the study area that this species occurs. Two generations fly in June and August. Inhabit wet areas adjacent to lakes, and sometimes very wet ditches. Caterpillars feed on water knotweed and other Polygonaceae.
Female upper side
Male upper side Male under side
35. Reakirt’s Copper, Lycaena mariposa (Reakirt, 1866)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin This copper is abundant throughout the study area. The subspecies is penroseae Field, 1938. Fly in July and August. Inhabit forest openings and bogs. Caterpillars feed on wild blueberry, and probably most of the Ericaceae that occur in bogs.
Male upper side
Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future
Male under side
36. Coral Hairstreak, Satyrium titus (Fabricius, 1793)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The Coral Hairstreak is known in the study area only from near Riske Creek. This is the most northern population of subspecies immaculosus (W. P. Comstock, 1913). Fly in June and July. Inhabit dry grasslands. Caterpillars feed on wild cherry, probably choke cherry in our area.
Male upper side
37. Sylvan Hairstreak, Satyrium sylvinum (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The Sylvan Hairstreak is known in the study area from only a few populations scattered throughout the area, with the most northern known population being near Vanderhoof. It is subspecies nootka Fisher, 1998. Fly in June and July. Inhabit riparian areas near streams and lakes. Caterpillars feed on willow.
Male upper side
Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future
38. Thicket Hairstreak, Loranthomitoura spinetorum (Hewitson, 1867)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The Thicket Hairstreak is known in the study area from only the Chilcotin west of Riske Creek. However, it is likely to be fairly generally distributed throughout the area. Fly in June and July. Inhabit forest openings. Caterpillars feed on mistletoe on pine.
Male upper side
Female under side
39. Juniper Hairstreak, Mitoura siva (W. H. Edwards, 1874)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Known only as far north as Alexandria on the Fraser River. However, it may occur further north, because its larval foodplant extends north to at least Vanderhoof. Subspecies barryi occurs in BC. Fly in May and June. Inhabit dry grasslands. Caterpillars feed on Rocky Mountain Juniper.
Male upper side
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40. Brown Elfin, Incisalia augustinus augustinus (Westwood, [1852]) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs near Valemount (and hence probably in the Robson Valley), and possibly Pine Pass, the only known BC localities. The other localities shown in Butterflies of British Columbia are actually Western Elfin populations. Fly in April and May. Inhabit open pine and possibly aspen forests. Caterpillars feed on bearberry.
Male upper side – Norbert Kondla photo
41. Western Elfin, Incisalia iroides iroides (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the study area, except the Robson Valley. Most of Brown Elfin localities shown in Butterflies of British Columbia are actually Western Elfin populations. This is an unnamed subspecies, which I am naming as part of this Living Landscapes project. Fly in April and May. Inhabit open pine and possibly aspen forests. Caterpillars feed on bearberry.
Male upper side
42. Hoary Elfin, Incisalia polia polia (Cook & Watson, 1907)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Probably occurs throughout the study area, but has rarely been collected because of the early flight season. Fly in April and May. Inhabit open pine forests. Caterpillars feed on the flowers of bearberry.
Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future
43. Western Pine Elfin, Incisalia eryphon eryphon (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the study area. Has been more often collected than the previous two species because of the later flight season. Fly in May and June. Inhabit open pine forests. Caterpillars feed on pine.
Male upper side
44. Grey Hairstreak, Strymon melinus Hübner, [1818]
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs north to Soda Creek along the Fraser River. The subspecies is presently considered to be setonia McDunnough, 1927. Fly from mid-April to mid-September, with two generations and a partial third generation in warm summers. Inhabit forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on the flowers and fruit of a wide variety of plants, especially legumes (including garden beans), and raspberry, strawberry and pearly everlasting. Male upper side
45. Western Tailed Blue, Everes amyntula amyntula (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. Fly from May to July, in a single extended generation. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on legumes such as Astragalus and Lathyrus.
Male upper side
Royal British Columbia Museum 1-250-356-7226 675 Belleville Street 1-888-447-7977 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA http://livinglandscapes.bc.ca Living Landscapes - Past, Present & Future
46. Boreal Spring Azure, Celastrina ladon (Cramer, [1780])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is lucia (W. Kirby, 1837). Fly in May and June. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. The foodplants of the caterpillars in our area are unknown, but are likely Vaccinium, Viburnum, and other shrubs. Male upper side
47. Square-spotted Blue, Euphilotes battoides (Behr, 1867) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin The entire known world distribution of this unnamed subspecies of Squared-spotted Blue is from the Riske Creek Lodge to the Junction Sheep Range, in the Chilcotin. Fly from mid-May to mid-July. Inhabit the dry grasslands of the Riske Creek area, where the foodplant grows. Caterpillars feed on the flowerheads of buckwheat, Eriogonum. The adults also nectar on the flowers, and males and females seeking to mate find each other on the flowers. Male upper side - Chilcotin
Female upper side - Chilcotin Male under side - Chilcotin
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48. Silvery Blue, Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Doubleday, 1841) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin at all elevations. The subspecies is couperi Grote, 1873 in most of the area, with possible intergration with the southern subspecies columbia (Skinner, 1917) in the Chilcotin. During this study the most southwestern population of subspecies couperi was found near Hanceville in the Chilcotin. Fly from May to July. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on lupines and other legumes. Male upper side
49. Northern Blue, Lycaeides idas (Linnaeus, 1761)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, at all elevations. The subspecies is alaskensis (Chermock, 1945) from Quesnel northward. During this study both alaskensis and an unnamed subspecies (in error referred to as subspecies scudderi in Butterflies of British Columbia) were found flying together near the Riske Creek Lodge in the Chilcotin. It is not yet clear if this population intergrades Male upper side between two subspecies, or whether the two “subspecies” are actually separate species. Fly from May to July. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on Vaccinium in most of our area, but feed on various legumes in the Chilcotin grasslands.
Male upper side
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50. Greenish Blue, Plebejus saepiolus (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin at low elevations. Subspecies amica (W. H. Edwards, 1863) occurs in the area. The shade of blue of the upper wing surface is quite variable. Fly in June and July. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on clover and other legumes.
Male upper side
51. Boisduval’s Blue, Icaricia icarioides (Boisduval, 1852) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Known only from Soda Creek and Quesnel in the Upper Fraser River Basin. I could not find it further north, despite the presence of lupines all along Highway 97. Subspecies pembina (W. H. Edwards, 1862) occurs in the area, with the Cariboo Mountains separating our populations from the next nearest populations along the North Thompson River. Fly in June and July. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on lupines. Male upper side
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52. Acmon Blue, Icaricia acmon (Westwood & Hewitson, [1852])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occur only north to the Chilcotin in the Upper Fraser River Basin. I extended the known range from the Riske Creek area west to west of Alexis Creek during this study. Subspecies lutzi (dos Passos, 1938) occurs in the area. Fly in June and July. Inhabit meadows, open forests and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on lupines.
Male and Female upper side
53. Arctic Blue, Agriades glandon (de Prunner, 1798)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in scattered populations throughout the area, from low to high elevations. Subspecies megalo (McDunnough, 1927) occurs in the area. Fly in June to August, with the later flight dates in the alpine Inhabit rocky and gravelly areas. Caterpillars feed on saxifrages.
Male and Female upper side
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Brushfoots, Family Nymphalidae Swainson, 1827
54. Satyr Anglewing, Polygonia satyrus (W. H. Edwards, 1869)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, from low to mid-elevations. Fly from April to September, with the adults hibernating in debris piles over the winter. Inhabit forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on stinging nettle.
Male upper side
55. Green Comma, Polygonia faunus (W. H. Edwards, 1862)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, from low to mid-elevations. The subspecies in BC is rusticus (W. H. Edwards, 1874). Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in debris piles over the winter. Inhabit forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on various trees and shrubs, including birch, alder, currant, and willow. Male upper side 56. Hoary Anglewing, Polygonia gracilis (Grote & Robinson, 1867) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, from low to mid-elevations, rare in the Chilcotin. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in debris piles over the winter. Inhabit forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars apparently feed on willow, alder and possibly currant.
Male upper side
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57. Oreas Anglewing, Polygonia oreas (W. H. Edwards, 1869)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, from low to mid-elevations, rare in the Chilcotin. The subspecies, which may be a full species, is silenus (W. H. Edwards, 1870). It has been collected only once in the Upper Fraser River Basin, on my lawn near Quesnel. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in debris piles over the winter. Male upper side The habitat is unknown, the one specimen collected was apparently a stray from a nearby habitat (perhaps a bog). Caterpillars feed on currant and gooseberry.
Male under side
58. Grey Comma, Polygonia progne (Cramer, [1776])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, from low to mid-elevations, rare in the Chilcotin. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in debris piles over the winter. Inhabits forest openings. Caterpillars feed on currant and gooseberry.
Male upper side
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59. Compton Tortoiseshell, Roddia l-album (Esper, 1780) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, at low elevations. In August they are frequently seen in huge numbers basking on logging roads. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in barns and hollow trees over the winter. Inhabits forest openings and roadsides in birch forests. Caterpillars feed on birch.
Male upper side
60. California Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis californica (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin A rare migrant that may be seen anywhere within the Upper Fraser River Basin. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), most likely to be seen in May or June. May be seen in any open area. Caterpillars feed on buckbrush, Ceanothus.
Male upper side
61. Mourning Cloak, Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus, 1758)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, at all elevations. Adults in early August are brightly coloured, by the next spring they have faded. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in woodpiles and hollow logs. Inhabits forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on willow and poplar. Male upper side
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62. Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, Aglais milberti milberti (Godart, [1819])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, at all elevations. Fly from April to September (rarely seen in mid- summer), with the adults hibernating in woodpiles and debris piles. Inhabits forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on stinging nettle.
Male upper side
63. Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, mostly at low elevations, as a migrant. Fly from June to September, with the adults migrating into the area from the south and producing one new generation. Inhabits meadows, forest openings and disturbed areas. Caterpillars feed on thistle.
Male upper side
64. Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, at low elevation. The North American subspecies is rubria (Fruhstorfer, 1909). Fly from June to September, with the adults migrating into the area from the south and producing one new generation. Inhabits meadows, forest openings and riparian areas. Caterpillars feed on stinging nettle. Male upper side
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65. Aprhrodite Fritillary, Speyeria aphrodite (Fabricius, 1787)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the southern Upper Fraser River Basin, from Quesnel and Nazko southward. The subspecies is columbia (Hy. Edwards, 1877). Fly in July and August. Inhabits meadows and forest openings. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male upper side
66. Zerene Fritillary, Speyeria zerene (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the southern Upper Fraser River Basin, from Quesnel and Nazko southward. The subspecies is picta (McDunnough, 1924). Fly in July and August. Inhabits meadows and forest openings. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male upper side
67. Callippe Fritillary, Speyeria callippe (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the extreme southern Upper Fraser River Basin, in the Chilcotin. The subspecies is chilcotinensis Guppy & Shepard, 2001. Fly in July and August. Inhabits meadows and forest openings. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male upper side
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68. Atlantis Fritillary, Speyeria atlantis (W. H. Edwards, 1862)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is hollandi (F. & R. Chermock, 1940). This species has been considered rare in the Upper Fraser River Basin, and was known in the area only from the mountains near Wells. During this study it was found to be common and widespread throughout the area. Fly in July and August. Inhabits wet meadows, wet forest openings, and edges of wetlands. Caterpillars feed on violets. Male upper side
Male under side
Female under side
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69. Northwestern Fritillary, Speyeria hesperis (W. H. Edwards, 1864)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is beani (Barnes & Benjamin, 1926). This species is the most common fritillary in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The Atlantis Fritillary has a darker, less reddish, under side to the hindwings than does the Northwestern Fritillary. Fly in July and August. Inhabits forest openings and roadsides. Caterpillars feed on violets. Male upper side
Male under side
Female under side
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70. Hydaspe Fritillary, Speyeria hydaspe (Boisduval, 1869)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is rhodope (W. H. Edwards, 1874), with sakuntula (Skinner, 1911) being a synonym, contrary to Butterflies of British Columbia (Kondla 2001). Fly in July and August. Inhabits forest openings and roadsides. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male under side
71. Mormon Fritillary, Speyeria mormonia (Boisduval, 1869)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is opis (W. H. Edwards, 1874), which was named from Bald Mountain near Barkerville. Fly in July and August. Inhabits forest openings and roadsides. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male upper side
Male under side – silvered form Male under side – unsilvered form
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72. Bog Fritillary, Clossiana eunomia (Esper, 1799)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in only a few locations in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is dawsoni (Barnes & McDunnough, 1916). Fly in June and July. Inhabits wet forest openings and meadows, riparian area. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male under side
73. Silver-bordered Fritillary, Clossiana selene [Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775]
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in only a few locations in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is atrocostalis (Huard, 1927). This species has been considered rare in the Upper Fraser River Basin, being known from only a few scattered sites. During this study it was found to be common and widespread throughout the area. Fly in June and July. Inhabits wet forest openings and meadows, and within bogs and other wetlands. Male upper side Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male under side
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74. Meadow Fritillary, Clossiana bellona (Fabricius, 1775) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in only a few locations in the Upper Fraser River Basin. Our populations are an unnamed subspecies, not subspecies toddi (Holland, 1928) as stated in Butterflies of British Columbia. Fly from mid-May through August, with two generations. Inhabits wet meadows, including lawns, and open aspen forest. Caterpillars feed on violets. Male under side
75. Frigga Fritillary, Clossiana frigga (Thunberg, 1791)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in only a few locations in the Upper Fraser River Basin, but the wetland habitats are seldom sampled. Our populations are subspecies saga (Staudinger, 1861). Fly from mid-May to mid-July. Inhabits willow-scrub wetlands. Caterpillars feed on willows. Male under side
76. Western Meadow Fritillary, Clossiana epithore (W. H. Edwards, [1864])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Known from only one location in the Upper Fraser River Basin, near Entiako River. Our populations are subspecies chermocki E. & S. Perkins, 1966. Fly from mid-May through August, depending on elevation. Inhabits wet subalpine and alpine meadows. Caterpillars feed on violets.
Male under side
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77. Freija Fritillary, Clossiana freija freija (Thunberg, 1791)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. Fly in May and June at low elevations, July and August in the alpine. Inhabits open pine and aspen forests, and adjacent to wetlands. Caterpillars feed on blueberry, Vaccinium.
Male under side
78. Astarte Fritillary, Clossiana astarte astarte (Doubleday, [1847])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs only in the mountains near McBride in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The book Butterflies of British Columbia places astarte as a subspecies of the Asian species tritonia, because the male genitalia are similar (although they are not identical). Fly from mid-July to mid-August. Inhabits rocky alpine ridges and summits. Caterpillars feed on saxifrage. Male under side
79. Arctic Fritillary, Clossiana chariclea (Schneider, 1794)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is grandis (Barnes & McDunnough, 1916). The species name is probably incorrect, but the correct name has not been determined yet. Fly in July and August. Inhabits open pine forests and roadsides. The foodplant of the caterpillars is unknown in our area, but might be willow. Male under side
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80. Pearl Crescent, Phyciodes cocyta (Cramer, [1777]) tharos (Drury, [1773])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is pascoensis W. G. Wright, 1905. The species name tharos (Drury, [1773]) used in Butterflies of BC is probably incorrect, but the taxonomy of this group still needs considerable work. Fly in June and July. Inhabits meadows, forest openings and roadsides. Caterpillars feed on asters. Male upper side
81. Field Crescent, Phyciodes pulchellus (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The species name Phyciodes pratensis (Behr, 1863) used in Butterflies of British Columbia is incorrect because pulchellus has priority. Fly in June and July. Inhabits meadows, forest openings and roadsides. Caterpillars feed on asters.
Male upper side
82. Pale Crescent, Phyciodes pallidus (W. H. Edwards, 1864)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs only as far north as the Riske Creek area in the Chilcotin. The subspecies is presently considered to be barnesi Skinner, 1897. Fly in May and June. Inhabits the dry grasslands of the Chilcotin. Caterpillars feed on thistles.
Male upper side
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83. Mylitta Crescent, Phyciodes mylitta mylitta (W. H. Edwards, 1861)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs only as far north as the Riske Creek area in the Chilcotin. The subspecies is presently considered to be barnesi Skinner, 1897. Fly in May and June. Inhabits the dry grasslands of the Chilcotin. Caterpillars feed on thistles.
Male upper side
84. Northern Checkerspot, Charidryas palla (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs as far north as Quesnel, along the Fraser River. The subspecies is calydon (Holland, 1931). Fly in June and July. Inhabits the dry grasslands of the Chilcotin, and a hydro powerline right-of-way near Quesnel. Caterpillars feed on asters.
Female upper side
85. Damoetas Checkerspot, Charidryas damoetas (Skinner, 1902) Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs only in the Ilgachuz Mountians in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is unnamed. The species name whitneyi (Behr, 1863) was used in Butterflies of British Columbia, but our butterfly is very distinctly different from whitneyi from California. Fly from mid-July to mid-August. Inhabits rocky alpine scree slopes. The foodplant of the caterpillars is unknown. Male upper side
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86. Chalcedon Checkerspot, Euphydryas chalcedona (Doubleday, [1847])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the Ilgachuz Mountains, and in the Chilcotin north to Nazko in the Upper Fraser River Basin. Both the Anicia Checkerspot and the Chalcedon Checkerspot are present in the Upper Fraser River Basin, with overlapping distributions. The subspecies may be paradoxa McDunnough, 1927. Fly in June and July, in August in at high elevations in the Ilgachuz Mountains. Inhabits rocky grasslands. The foodplant of the caterpillars is Penstemon. Male upper side – Coast Range colour
87. Anicia Checkerspot, Euphydryas anicia (Doubleday, [1847])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs along the Fraser River north to Soda Creek. The subspecies is hopfingeri Gunder, 1934. Fly in May and June. Inhabits rocky grassland slopes. The foodplant of the caterpillars is probably snowberry.
Male upper side
Male under side
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88. White Admiral, Limenitis arthemis (Drury, [1773])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin at low elevations. The subspecies is rubrofasciata (Barnes & McDunnough, 1916). Fly in July and August. Inhabits open aspen forests, riparian areas and roadsides. The foodplants of the caterpillars are poplars and willow. Male upper side
89. Common Ringlet, Coenonympha california Westwood, [1851] Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the Chilcotin and near Quesnel in the Upper Fraser River Basin, at low elevations. The subspecies is columbiana McDunnough, 1928. Fly from May to July in a single generation. Inhabits grasslands and hydro powerline right-of- ways. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
90. Common Woodnymph, Cercyonis pegala (Fabricius, 1775)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs north along the Fraser River to Quesnel, at low elevations. The subspecies is presently considered to be boopis (Behr, 1864). Fly in July and August. Inhabits grasslands, disturbed areas and hydro powerline right-of-ways. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
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91. Great Basin Woodnymph, Cercyonis sthenele (Boisduval, 1852)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs only near Riske Creek in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is sineocellata (Austin & J. Emmel, 1998). Fly in July and August. Inhabits dry grasslands. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
92. Small Woodnymph, Cercyonis oetus (Boisduval, 1869)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the Chilcotin and north to Nazko in the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies is phocus (W. H. Edwards, 1874). Fly from mid-July to mid-August. Inhabits dry grasslands and open dry forest. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
93. Common Alpine, Erebia epipsodea epipsodea Butler, 1868
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs in the Chilcotin north to Soda Creek along the Fraser River, and north along the east edge of the Coast Range. Fly in June and July. Inhabits moist grasslands, ditches and meadows. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
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94. Macoun’s Arctic, Oeneis macounii (W. H. Edwards, 1885)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, in moderately dry areas. Fly in June and July. Inhabits open pine and aspen forest, and grasslands along the boundary where forest and grassland meet. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
95. Chryxus Arctic, Oeneis chryxus chryxus (Doubleday, [1849])
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin, in moderately dry areas. Fly in June and July. Inhabits grasslands and open pine and aspen forest. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Male upper side
96. Jutta Arctic, Oeneis jutta (Hübner, 1805-1806)
Notes for the Upper Fraser River Basin Occurs throughout the Upper Fraser River Basin. The subspecies may be unnamed, although traditionally it has been considered to be chermockorum Wyatt, 1965 or reducta McDunnough, 1929. This species has been considered rare in the Upper Fraser River Basin, with only two known populations near Quesnel. During this study it was found to be common and widespread throughout the study area.
Male upper side
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