Polixenes Arctic
Oeneis polixenes
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Description 1 1/2-1 3/4" (38-44 mm). Above and below, gray-brown and quite translucent, sometimes virtually transparent; small light dots may occur just inside margins. Below, FW similar to upperside; HW has dark median band, surrounded by lighter, striated areas. Wings may be infused with yellowish scaling especially submarginally above.
Similar Species White-veined Arctic larger and has white veins. Melissa Arctic and darker Arctic Grayling lack light spots and yellow scaling above, and have less pronounced band beneath.
Life Cycle Caterpillar feeds on arctic and alpine grasses (Poaceae); overwinters in early stages, resumes feeding the following spring; may take 2 years to mature.
Flight 1 brood; July-August.
Habitat Moist true arctic and arctic-alpine tundra, windswept summits, ridges, well above and north of timberline.
Range Alaska and Yukon east across Northwest Territories and Canadian Arctic Archipelago to both shores of Hudson Bay. Isolated colonies in Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Quebec, and on Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
Discussion The Polixenes Arctic often has highly translucent wings; the most sparsely scaled individuals resemble lightly smoked glass. When they alight, these and other arctics often tip their clasped wings at an angle close against the ground, possibly to cast as little shadow as possible, improving their already superb camouflage. Another reason for tilting their darkened undersides toward the sun may be to gather solar warmth necessary for activity under arctic conditions, or perhaps this posture is an adjustment to the perpetual strafing of the wind. On Mt. Katahdin, Maine, an isolated and distinctive race thrives above timberline. Long known as the "Katahdin Arctic," its stony, windy habitat is protected as wilderness within Baxter State Park.
Source
Oeneis polixenes
Description 1 1/2-1 3/4" (38-44 mm). Above and below, gray-brown and quite translucent, sometimes virtually transparent; small light dots may occur just inside margins. Below, FW similar to upperside; HW has dark median band, surrounded by lighter, striated areas. Wings may be infused with yellowish scaling especially submarginally above.
Similar Species White-veined Arctic larger and has white veins. Melissa Arctic and darker Arctic Grayling lack light spots and yellow scaling above, and have less pronounced band beneath.
Life Cycle Caterpillar feeds on arctic and alpine grasses (Poaceae); overwinters in early stages, resumes feeding the following spring; may take 2 years to mature.
Flight 1 brood; July-August.
Habitat Moist true arctic and arctic-alpine tundra, windswept summits, ridges, well above and north of timberline.
Range Alaska and Yukon east across Northwest Territories and Canadian Arctic Archipelago to both shores of Hudson Bay. Isolated colonies in Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Quebec, and on Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
Discussion The Polixenes Arctic often has highly translucent wings; the most sparsely scaled individuals resemble lightly smoked glass. When they alight, these and other arctics often tip their clasped wings at an angle close against the ground, possibly to cast as little shadow as possible, improving their already superb camouflage. Another reason for tilting their darkened undersides toward the sun may be to gather solar warmth necessary for activity under arctic conditions, or perhaps this posture is an adjustment to the perpetual strafing of the wind. On Mt. Katahdin, Maine, an isolated and distinctive race thrives above timberline. Long known as the "Katahdin Arctic," its stony, windy habitat is protected as wilderness within Baxter State Park.
Source
