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