Polixenes Arctic
Oeneis polixenes (Fabricius, 1775)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Identification: Wings are somewhat translucent. Upperside is gray-brown; male has no markings, female may have 2 small black eyespots. Underside of hindwing is mottled gray, brown, and black and has a distinct median band outlined in white.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 2 1/8 inches (4.2 - 5.4 cm).
Life History: Males patrol and occasionally perch during the day in grassy swales to seek females. Two years are required to complete development; the first winter is passed by first-stage caterpillars, the second winter by mature caterpillars.
Flight: One brood from mid-June to early August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Grasses and sedges.
Adult Food: Occasionally flower nectar.
Habitat: Open wet tundra.
Range: Alaska east through the North American arctic to Baffin Island, Labrador, eastern Quebec, and central Maine. Isolated populations in the Rocky Mountains south to northern New Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually required. Subspecies katahdin on Mt. Katahdin, Maine is geographically restricted but may not be of concern.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Determine status on Mt. Katahdin, Maine and monitor periodically.
Get your BAMONA Gear!
Please donate!
We depend on donations to keep Butterflies and Moths of North America freely available. We want to express our gratitude to all who showed their support by making a contribution this year. You can donate to support this project at any time.
Advertise with us!
Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 39 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 24, 2021
Submitted by: Rick Sinnott
Region: Denali, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 11, 2023
Observation date: Jun 29, 2019
Submitted by: jsaunders260
Region: Valdez-Cordova, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 09, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2021
Submitted by: Davidemartin
Region: Summit County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Dec 31, 2021
Observation date: Aug 24, 2014
Submitted by: tom howe
Region: Piscataquis County, Maine, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 13, 2021
Observation date: Jul 04, 2014
Submitted by: Jonathan Batkin
Region: New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 30, 2019
Observation date: Jul 01, 2016
Submitted by: wvbirder
Region: Piscataquis County, Maine, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 18, 2018
Observation date: Jun 28, 2016
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 16, 2016
Observation date: Jul 01, 2015
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 01, 2015
Observation date: Jun 18, 2015
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jul 10, 2015
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jul 01, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (KWP)
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jun 30, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (ALS)
Region: Yukon-Koyukuk, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jul 02, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (YU)
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jun 24, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (KWP)
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jul 10, 1996
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (JLH)
Region: Northwest Arctic, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jul 07, 1996
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (KWP)
Region: Denali, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jun 24, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (JLH)
Region: North Slope, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jun 22, 1997
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (F/P)
Region: Denali, Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Lake County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Pitkin County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
- 1 of 2
- next ›