Range:
This species is holarctic, which means it can be found
in parts of the northern temperate regions of the entire Northern
Hemisphere. In North America, it ranges from Alaska across most of Canada, and
from southern British Columbia through the western third of the U.S. to Arizona
and New Mexico (not along the Pacific coast or in most of California). It has
been documented in a number of counties in Idaho,
scattered throughout the state. It is generally an uncommon butterfly.
Habitat:
It occurs in arctic and alpine areas, along forests, and on
open hilltops.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars feed on certain members of the parsley family (Apiaceae), and
on arctic sagebrush (Artemisia arctica). Young caterpillars eat
leaves while older ones prefer flowers and associated structures.
Adult:
Butterflies drink flower nectar.
Ecology:
There is one generation of caterpillars each summer in the northern part
of its range, and two in the south. Pupae present in autumn will overwinter in
a physiological state called diapause, and may remain in diapause for
several seasons if conditions are unfavorably dry. Adults generally fly from June through July in the northern
part of its range, and from April to September in the southern part of its range.
Butterflies frequent the tops of slopes, a behavior called "hill topping." It is an important
strategy for finding mates. This species has not been studied extensively in
the U.S., and much of what we know comes from detailed studies conducted in
Europe.
Reproduction:
Males both perch and actively patrol
to find receptive females, and spend most of their time on hilltops when seeking
a mate. Females lay eggs singly on host plants
.
Conservation:
![]() |
![]() |
Global Rank: | G5; populations are widespread, abundant, and secure. |
Opler, P. A. and A. B.Wright. 1999. A Field Guide to the Western Butterflies. Second Edition. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York, USA, 540 pp.
Pyle, R. M. 1981. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, New York, USA, 924 pp.
Scott, J. A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, USA, 583 pp.
Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western U.S.A. Butterflies (Including Adjacent Parts of Canada and Mexico). Published by authors, Denver, Colorado, USA, 275 pp.