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.
Comments: NULL
Thank you!
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.
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: 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 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 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: 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: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Alaska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Eagle County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
- 1 of 2
- next ›