North American Ecology (US and Canada)
provided by North American Butterfly Knowledge Network
Oeneis melissa is resident of northern Canada, and ranges south into the United States along the Rocky Mountains (Scott 1986). Habitats are arctic/alpine zone dry tundra, especially ridgetops and rocky places. Host plants are sedges (Cyperaceae): Carex bigelowii, C. rupestris. Eggs are laid on or near the host plant. This species is biennial; individuals overwinter as young larvae (second or third instar) the first winter, and as mature larvae the second winter. There is one flight each year with the approximate flight time mostly July 1-July 31 in the more southern and low altitude parts of the range, and June 15- July 31 in the arctic (Scott 1986).
Behavior
provided by North American Butterfly Knowledge Network
Adults feed on flower nectar, but rarely. Males both perch and patrol for females (Scott, 1986).
Conservation Status
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Not of concern.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Cyclicity
provided by University of Alberta Museums
One brood per year, flying mostly from mid July to early August.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Distribution
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Alaska to Labrador and Quebec, south to northern MT and WA, isolated populations in the Rocky Mountain States and New Hampshire (Scott 1986).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
General Description
provided by University of Alberta Museums
"The upperside is charcoal-slate and unmarked. The underside is finely mottled with grey and black, the median band is not usually discernible. No eyespots.
Subspecies beanii, described from Lake Louise, occurs in the Alberta mountains."
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Habitat
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Rocky alpine tundra and scree slopes above treeline.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Life Cycle
provided by University of Alberta Museums
"Not known in Alberta. In New Hampshire, the grey-white eggs are laid on or near the host, and larvae vary from brown-green to reddish brown with a number of longitudinal lines, and take two years to mature. Pupation takes place under moss or stones (Scott 1986). Melissa Arctics fly every year in Alberta.
Males patrol rock fields and ridge tops, while females are usually found at slightly lower elevations (Bird et al 1995). This Arctic is wary and difficult to approach, males are easily flushed and often move downslope before alighting again, where the underside blends perfectly with rocks and lichens."
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Trophic Strategy
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Larval hosts are unconfirmed in Alberta. Carex rupestris is used in MB and NWT (Parshall in Scott 1986). Adults rarely nectar.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Oeneis melissa
provided by wikipedia EN
Oeneis melissa, the Melissa Arctic, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.
The wingspan is 42–51 mm.
The larvae feed on various sedges, including Carex bigelowii and Carex rupestris.
Oeneis melissa daizetsuzana, Japan
Subspecies
-
Oeneis melissa melissa (Newfoundland, Labrador)
-
Oeneis melissa also (Boisduval, [1833]) (Polar Urals, Arctic Asia, Taymur, Chukot Peninsula, Kamchatka, Wrangel Island)
-
Oeneis melissa orientalis Kurentzov, 1970 (eastern Yakutia, Magadan)
-
Oeneis melissa daizetsuzana Matsumura, 1926 (Japan)
-
Oeneis melissa semidea (Say, 1828) (New Hampshire)
-
Oeneis melissa semplei Holland, 1931 (Quebec, inner Labrador, Hudson Bay)
-
Oeneis melissa assimilis Butler, 1868 (Northwest Territories)
-
Oeneis melissa gibsoni Holland, 1931 (Alaska, Yukon, northern British Columbia)
-
Oeneis melissa beanii Elwes, 1893 (Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Montana, Wyoming)
-
Oeneis melissa lucilla Barnes & McDunnough, 1918
-
Oeneis melissa karae Kusnezov, 1925 (polar tundra of northern Siberia)
References
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Oeneis melissa: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Oeneis melissa, the Melissa Arctic, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.
The wingspan is 42–51 mm.
The larvae feed on various sedges, including Carex bigelowii and Carex rupestris.
Oeneis melissa daizetsuzana, Japan
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Oeneis melissa daizetsuzana, Japan
