Chryxus Arctic
(Oeneis chryxus)
Satyrs and Wood-nymphs
Appearance: A well camouflaged butterfly showing irregular and marbled bands of brown and gray beneath on the hindwing and also can show submarginal eyespots. The forewings beneath have some orange with a black median line that show a ‘bird beak’ pointing toward the outer edge and also can have 1-4 small black eyespots. Above, a uniform pale orange-brown color with eyespots conspicuous on the forewings.
Wingspan: Medium; 1 3/4 to 2 1/8 inches.
Habitat: Meadows, open pine forests, grassy and woodland areas; foothills, montane.
Flight Times: May to early August.
Larval Foodplant: Sedges and grasses.
Did You Know…
Sometimes flight style is distinctive and helpful in identifying butterflies as is the slow and high flight of this species. This is probably a biennial butterfly in our region taking two years to complete its cycle from egg to adult and flying in even-numbered years. Caterpillars require two years to complete development; hibernating as young caterpillars the first winter, and as mature ones the second winter.
