Chryxus Arctic
Oeneis chryxus (Doubleday, [1849])
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Identification: Upperside is cream to brownish-orange. Forewing has 1-4 small black eyespots near the outer margin; hindwing has 1-2. Male forewing has a dark patch of sex scales. Underside of hindwing has black and white striations, a wide dark median band, veins with white scales, and only 1 black spot near the lower inner margin of the wing.
Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/8 inches (4.5 - 5.4 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars require 2 years to complete development; hibernating as young caterpillars the first winter, and as mature ones the second winter.
Flight: One brood from late May-early June every year; may be biennial because it is more numerous in even-numbered years in the Great Lakes region.
Caterpillar Hosts: Poverty oat-grass (Danthonia spicata).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open grassy, rocky, and woodland areas; meadows; alpine tundra.
Range: Southern Alaska and Yukon Territory south through the western mountains to New Mexico; east across Canada to Manitoba. Isolated population in eastern Canada, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
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.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 348 verified sightings
Observation date: May 20, 2018
Submitted by: jvkopple2
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: layberry
Verified date: May 20, 2018
Observation date: May 20, 2018
Submitted by: jvkopple2
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: layberry
Verified date: May 20, 2018
Observation date: Jul 07, 2017
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Sep 22, 2017
Observation date: Jul 03, 2017
Submitted by: fotohiker
Region: Archuleta County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 06, 2017
Observation date: May 18, 2017
Submitted by: Ranger Steve Mueller
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller
Verified date: May 29, 2017
Observation date: Jun 26, 2016
Submitted by: richtrebbien
Region: Valley County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 20, 2016
Observation date: Jun 25, 2016
Submitted by: richtrebbien
Region: Custer County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 20, 2016
Observation date: Jun 01, 2016
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jul 19, 2016
Observation date: Jul 03, 2016
Submitted by: M Kuhlman
Region: Ravalli County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 14, 2016
Observation date: Jun 19, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 18, 2015
Observation date: Jul 02, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 15, 2015
Observation date: Jun 29, 2014
Submitted by: ColoradEO
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: azukoff
Verified date: Mar 11, 2015
Observation date: Jul 09, 2014
Submitted by: mcash70
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Sep 21, 2014
Observation date: Jun 20, 2014
Submitted by: Donna Shorrock
Region: Gilpin County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 31, 2014
Observation date: Jun 27, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jul 19, 2014
Observation date: Jul 27, 2013
Submitted by: bellinca
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: philipnott
Verified date: Apr 24, 2014
Observation date: Jun 29, 2013
Submitted by: Nancy Lea Sandy
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 12, 2013
Observation date: Jul 12, 2012
Submitted by: bellinca
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 29, 2013
Observation date: Jul 27, 2013
Submitted by: bellinca
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 27, 2013
Observation date: Jul 17, 2013
Submitted by: jamesheintz1
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 10, 2013
Observation date: Jun 12, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paul Thompson)
Region: White Pine County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 29, 1981
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Gloria Harjes)
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 26, 1985
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Lyon County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 30, 1981
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Gloria Harjes)
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
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