Range:
This species has a narrow range, as it is found only in the Rocky Mountains,
from southern Alberta to Colorado. Its presence has been documented in Idaho only in Lemhi County, but it may also occur in the
panhandle portion of the state along the Montana border.
Habitat:
Typically it is found at higher elevations in alpine meadows
and on rocky slopes, but it may also occur in forests and along streams.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of members of the pea family (Fabaceae), such
as clovers (Trifolium spp.) and milk vetch (Astragalus spp.).
Adult:
Butterflies drink flower nectar, often from composite flowers.
Ecology:
There is one generation of caterpillars each summer. The young
caterpillars overwinter in a physiological state called diapause, and emerge in the spring
to feed, molt, and
eventually pupate.
Adults genrally fly
from July through August. Butterflies fly very quickly and erratically, and
upon landing, often make their way down into the vegetation where they are well
camouflaged.
Reproduction:
Males actively patrol
in search of receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on the leaves of host plants
.
Conservation:
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Global Rank: |
G4; population levels are secure, but may be of concern in the future. |
Opler, P. A., H. Pavulaan, and R. E. Stanford. 1995. Butterflies of North America. Jamestown, North Dakota, USA: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm (Version 05Nov98).
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.