Common Alpine
(Erebia epipsodea)
Satyrs and Wood-nymphs
Appearance: Above, mostly dark brown with orange submarginal patches containing white-centered black eyespots. The pattern is repeated below but orange patches not as obvious. Below hindwing is gray-brown with submarginal black eyespots. Eyespots on underside of hindwing distinguish this butterfly from similar species.
Wingspan: Medium; 1 1/2 to 2 inches.
Habitat: Moist open grassy fields, meadows, high prairies, open forests in the montane and sub-alpine.
Flight Times: Mid-June to early August; one brood.
Larval Foodplant: Grasses
Did You Know…
This is a very adaptable butterfly with wide ranging habitat preferences and for these reasons our most frequently encountered alpine in the west (Brock, 2003). Males patrol all day to watch for females. Eggs are laid on living and dead grasses. Third- and fourth-stage caterpillars hibernate.
