Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Common Alpine
Erebia epipsodea Butler, 1868


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Identification: Wings are dark brown. Upperside of both wings with white-centered submarginal eyespots in a yellow-orange patch. Underside of forewing is similar to the upperside; hindwing is gray with submarginal black eyespots.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 2 inches (4.2 - 5.1 cm).
Life History: Males patrol all day to watch for females. Eggs are laid on living and dead grasses. Third- and fourth-stage caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One brood from mid-June to early August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Probably grasses.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Moist open grassy fields, meadows, high prairies, open forests.
Range: Alaska south through the Rocky Mountains to northern New Mexico; west across the prairie provinces to southwest Manitoba.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Get your BAMONA Gear!

Hoodies and t-shirts in two designs!


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.