North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Colorado Alpine (Erebia callias)
JPG -- species photo

Colorado Alpine (Erebia callias W. H. Edwards)

Wing span: 1 3/8 - 1 1/2 inches (3.5 - 3.8 cm).

Identification: Upperside is dull gray-brown with a slight luster. Forewing above and below has 2 eyespots near the tip, usually in a red patch. Underside of hindwing is silver-gray with tiny dark markings.

Life history: Males patrol over grassy areas to find females. Eggs are deposited singly on dead leaf blades near grasses and sedges.

Flight: One brood from mid-July to mid-August.

Caterpillar hosts: Probably grasses or sedges.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Alpine grassy meadows.

Range: Alpine Wyoming and Colorado.

Conservation: Not usually required.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

References:

Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, 
     Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., 
     Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Colorado Alpine (Erebia callias)
distribution map
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