A List 
of Butterflies 
and Moths
 
In Alaska


with those seen during 
Focus On Nature Tours
in Alaska 
noted with an (*)



A List of Alaska Butterflies and Moths 
compiled by Armas Hill

Upper right photo: OLD WORLD SWALLOWTAILS  



Among the Lepidoptera groupings in this list, Links to:

Swallowtails, Parnassians    Whites, Marbles, Sulphurs    Coppers, Hairstreaks, Blues

Brushfoots (including Fritillaries, Tortoiseshells)    Satyrs (including Alpines, Arctics)    Skippers    Moths

Codes:

Numbers in the list below noted as (K:xx) refer to pages in the Kaufman Focus Guide to Butterflies of North America, by Jim Brock & Kenn Kaufman

Numbers in the list below noted as (PW:xx) refer to plates in the Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, by Paul Opler & Amy Barttlett Wright, 1999

(i/E):     introduced from Eurasia
(AKr):   rare in Alaska

(ph):  species with a photo in the FONT website


Additional Links:

Upcoming Alaska FONT Tour Itineraries

Birds in Alaska     Mammals in Alaska     Wildflowers & Other Plants in Alaska

Other Lists and Photo Galleries of Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies:


        SWALLOWTAILS and PARNASSIANS

1. Canadian Tiger Swallowtail  ______  (PW:5) (K:21)
   Papilio canadensis
   (Range: Alaska east to northern New England)
   
   
2. Old World Swallowtail  (*) (ph)  ______ (PW:3) (K:33)  
   Papilio machaon 
   Papilio machaon aliaska  ______  subspecies in Alaska and northwest Canada
   
   Papilio machaon is known for its "hill-topping", a form of lekking behavior.
   
   In "hill-topping", males may be found flying up to and staying on a hilltop, for days on end if necessary.
   Females, desirous of mating, fly up the hill.
   Males dash around the top, competing for the best part of the area - usually the very top, as the male with the best territory at the top of the hill would have the best chance of mating with the occasional female, who knows that the "top male" must be strong and thus genetically fit. 
   
   Papilio machaon aliaska nectars on Labrador Tea.
   
   
3. Phoebus Parnassian ______ (PW:1) (K:45)  
   Parnassius phoebus
   Parnassius phoebus apricatus  ______  subspecies from southern Alaska to northwestern British Columbia, Canada
   Parnassius phoebus golovinus  ______  subspecies on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, described in 1930
   
   
4. Eversmann's Parnassian  ______  (PW:1) (K:45)
   Parnassius eversmanni
   
   The Eversmann's Parnassian flies close to the ground over open tundra. It occurs in Alaska, and in Canada in Yukon, the western Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia.
   
   
   WHITES, MARBLES, SULPHURS
   
   
5. Arctic White  (*)  ______  (PW:8) (K:47)  
   Pieris angelika 
   
   The Parry's Wallflower is a good host plant for Pieris angelika, a far-northern species of "mustard white".
   
   
6. Western White  ______ (PW:8) (K:49)  
   Pontia occidentalis
   
   
7. Large Marble  ______  (PW:8) (K:55)     
   Euchloe ausonides 
   
   
8. Northern Marble  (*)  ______  (PW:9)  (K:55)
   Euchloe creusa
   
   The Northern Marble flies in the late spring and early summer, making it a notably early flier in northern areas.  
   
   
9. Green Marble  ______  (PW:9)
   Euchloe naina
   
   
10. Clouded Sulphur ______  (PW:10) (K:61)  
    Colias philodice
    
    
11. Pelidne Sulphur  ______  (PW:11) (K:63)  
    Colias pelidne
    
    
12. Christina's Sulphur  ______  (PW:10) (K:63)
    Colias christina
    
    
13. Giant Sulphur  ______  (PW:11) (K:65)
    Colias gigantea
    
    
14. Palaeno Sulphur  (ph)  ______  (PW:11) (K:65)
    Colias palaeno
    
    Other names for Colias palaeno are Arctic Sulphur and Moorland Clouded Yellow.
    
    
    
    A Palaeno, or Arctic Sulphur
    
    
15. Labrador Sulphur  ______  (PW:11) (K:65)
    Colias nastes
    
    
16. Canadian Sulphur  ______  (PW:11) (K:67)
    Colias canadensis
    
    Colias canadensis is a recently distinguished species. It was previously confused with the Hecla Sulphur (below).
    
    The female of Colias canadensis shows dimorphism. It is usually white, but sometimes orange or yellow with the normal black borders.   
    
    
17. Hecla Sulphur  ______  (PW:11) (K:67)
    Colias hecla
    
    
18. Booth's Sulphur  ______  (PW:11) (K:67)
    Colias tyche thula  
    
    The Booth's Sulphur is rarely seen south of the Brooks Range.
    
    
    COPPERS, HAIRSTREAKS, BLUES
    
    
19. American Copper  (ph)  ______  (PW:14) (K:81)
    Lycaena phlaeas
    
    Lycaena phlaeas is also called the Small Copper.
    
    
    
    A Small (or American) Copper photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by James Scheib)
    
    
20. Dorcas Copper  ______  (PW:15) (K:85)
    Lycaena dorcas
    
    
21. Mariposa Copper ______  (PW:15) (K:89)  
    Lycaena mariposa
    
    
22. Hoary Elfin  ______  (PW:18) (K:105)
    Caliophrys polios
    
    
23. Western Pine Elfin ______  (PW:18) (K:107)   
    Callophrys eryphon
    
    
24. Western Tailed-Blue  (*)  ______  (PW:19) (K:125)  
    Everes amyntula 
    
    
25. Silvery Blue  ______  (PW:20) (K:125)
    Glaucopsyche lygdamus
    
    
26. Spring Azure (*) ______  (PW:19) (K:131)  
    Celastrina ladon
    
    
27. Greenish Blue ______  (PW:20) (K:135)  
    Plebejus saepiolus
    
    
28. Northern Blue  ______  (PW:20) (K:135)
    Lycaeides idas
    
    
29. Arctic Blue  ______  (PW:21) (K:137)
    Agriades glandon
    
    
30. Cranberry Blue  ______  (PW:21) (K:137)
    Vacciniina optilete
    
    
    BRUSHFOOTS
    
    
31. Mormon Fritillary  ______  (PW:24) (K:161)  
    Speyeria mormonia
    
    
    Northern bogs hold several species of lesser fritillaries in the genus BOLORIA (below), many of which were named for Norse goddesses. 
    
    
32. Frigga Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:169)  
    Boloria frigga 
    
    
33. Silver-bordered Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:171)  
    Boloria selene
    
    
34. Bog Fritillary  (ph)  ______  (PW:25) (K:171)
    Boloria eunomia
    
    
    
    Bog Fritillary
    
    
35. Polaris Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:171)
    Boloria polaris 
    
    The Polaris Fritillary occurs in open tundra areas. It flies mid-summer, 1 brood. 
    
    
36. Astarte Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:171)
    Boloria astarte
    
    The Astarte Fritillary lives on rocky tundra ridges.
    
    
37. Mountain Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:173)
    Bolaria napaea
    
    
38. Dingy Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:173)
    Boloria improba
    
    
39. Freija Fritillary  ______  (PW:25) (K:175)
    Boloria freija
    
    Boloria freija has a distinctive pearl spearpoint underneath.
    
    
40. Purplish Fritillary  ______  (K:175)
    Boloria montinus
    
    
41. Arctic Fritillary  (*)  ______  (PW:25) (K:175)
    Boloria chariclea
    
    
42. Cryptic Fritillary  ______  (PW:25)  (K:175)
    Boloria natazhati    
    
    Boloria natazhati is also called the Beringian Fritillary.
    
    
43. Northern Crescent  ______  (PW:28) (K:177)  
    Phyciodes selenis
    
    
44. Field Crescent  ______  (PW:28) (K:179)   
    Phyciodes campestris
    
    
45. Variable Checkerspot  ______  (PW:28) (K:193)   
    Euphydryas chalcedona 
    
    
46. Green Comma ______  (PW:29) (K:199)
    Polygonia faunus
    
    Polygonia faunus is also known as the Faun Anglewing.
    
    
47. Hoary Comma  ______  (PW:29) (K:199)
    Polygonia gracilis
    
    
48. Compton Tortoiseshell ______  (PW:29) (K:201)
    Nymphalis vaualbum
    
    
49. Milbert's Tortoiseshell  (ph)  ______  (PW:29) (K:201)   
    Nymphalis milberti
    
    
    
    Milbert's Tortoiseshell
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
50. Mourning Cloak  (*) (ph)  ______  (PW:29) (K:203)
    Nymphalis antiopa
    
    
    
    Mourning Cloak
    
    
51. Painted Lady  (ph)  ______  (PW:29) (K:205)  
    Vanessa cardui
    
    
    
    Painted Lady
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
52. White Admiral ______  (PW:30) (K:213)   
    Limenitis arthemis 
    
    Limenitis arthemis is called known as the Red-spotted Purple.
    
    
    SATYRS
    
    
53. Common Ringlet  ______  (PW:32) (K:241)
    Coenonympha tullia
    
    
    All of the EREBIA butterflies (below) show green and purple glints when they are really fresh.
    
    
54. Common Alpine  ______  (PW:33) (K:243)
    Erebia epipsodea 
    
    The Common Alpine is also known as the Butler's Alpine. It is three square inches of rich, dark chocolate wings with cinnamon bands and sugar-centered, licorice eyespots - the archetypal Erebia pattern, with several variations. 
    
    
55. Taiga Alpine  ______  (PW:32) (K:243)
    Erebia mancinus
    (Range: from Labrador to Alaska)
    
    
56. Disa Alpine  ______  (PW:32) (K:243)
    Erebia disa
    Erebia disa steckeri  ______  subspecies from northern Alaska to the western Yukon (Canada), in tundra and forest habitats
    
    
57. Ross' Alpine  ______  (PW:32) (K;245)
    Erebia rossii 
    Erebia rossii rossii  ______  subspecies in most of the species' range
    Erebia rossii gabrieli  ______  subspecies in the vicinity of Denali National Park, subspecies described in 1949   
    Erebia rossii kuskoquima  ______  subspecies in southwest Alaska, in the Yukon and Kuskoquim river drainages
    
    The Ross' Alpine has smaller ocelli than the Common, or Butler's Alpine, a double iris in a yellow patch on otter pelt brown.
    
    
58. Eskimo Alpine  ______  (K:245)
    Erebia occulta  
    Erebia occulta occulta  ______  subspecies described in 1983
    
    
    *****************************************************************************
    
    The following 3 species, Erebia youngi, Erebia phellea, and Erebia lafontainei, have not, in North America, extended their ranges more than a few hundred kilometers beyond the unglaciated areas of Alaska and Yukon.
    This has been due to their weak flight capabilities, their very specific habitat requirements, and their short lifespans.
    In North America, all 3 of these species are often sympatric. All 3 fly together in Alaska in the western Brooks Range (at the head of the Kivalina River) and on the Seward Peninsula (at Harris Dome).
    Erebia youngi and Erebia lafontainei fly together in the western Brooks Range at the Utukok Rover.       
    
    
59. Young's Alpine  ______  (PW:33) (K:245)  (has been called the Four-dotted Alpine)
    Erebia youngi
    Erebia youngi herscheli  ______  subspecies in coastal northern Alaska and the northern Yukon (Canada)
    Erebia youngi rileyi  ______  subspecies in the vicinity of Denali National Park, subspecies described in 1947
    Erebia youngi youngi  ______  subspecies in central Alaska east to western Yukon (Canada)
    
    
60. Erebia phellea  ______
    
    
61. Lafontaine's Alpine  ______  (species described in 1983)
    Erebia lafontainei
    
    The Lafontaine's Alpine occurs in Alaska on the Alaska Range, the Brooks Range, and on the North Slope, west to the Seward Peninsula. 
    It is found in low shrub tundra, both arctic and alpine. The butterflies usually rest in small patches of short sedge found between low willows and birches, or in frost boils, where they are sheltered from the wind. 
    
    The flight period of the Lafontaine's Alpine is mid-June to late-July, with the butterflies appearing on the wing one to two weeks ahead of the Young's Alpine where they are sympatric.  
    
    
62. Reddish Alpine  ______  (PW:33) (K:245)
    Erebia lozhantshikovi
    
    
63. Banded Alpine  ______  (PW:33) (K:245)
    Erebia fasciata
    Erebia fasciata avinoffi  ______  subspecies in northwestern Alaska and eastern Russia
    Erebia fasciata fasciata  ______  subspecies from Nunavit (Canada) west to central Alaska
    
    The Banded Alpine has, not surprisingly, prominent gray-felt bands around the hindwings, rather than the frosting of the Red-disked Alpine. 
    
    The Banded Alpine is said to be one of the most beautiful of the EREBIAS. The female has cocoa banding, even on the wing.
    
    
64. Mt. McKinley Alpine  ______  (PW:32) (K:247)
    Erebia mackinleyensis
    
    Erebia mackinleyensis was described in 1932. It has been considered conspecific with the Magdalena Alpine, Erebia magdalena, of the western United States and Canada north to northern British Columbia. There is a known isolated population of Erebia magdalena in Canada in the Yukon, in the Kluane National Park.
    The range of Erebia mackinleyensis is from eastern Siberia through Alaska and in Canada in the Yukon, and reaching into the Northwest Territories in the Richardson Mountains and into British Colombia in the Stone Mountain Provincial Park.
    
    Erebia mackinleyensis has reddish patches on the forewing.      
    
    
65. Red-disked Alpine  (*)  ______  (PW:33) (K:247)
    Erebia discoidalis
    
    In Erebia discoidalis, the cinnamon coloration smears all over the chocolate above. 
    
    
66. Theano Alpine  ______  (PW:33) (K:247)
    Erebia pawloskii alaskensis  (was Erebia theano)
    
    The Theano Alpine is very localized, with scattered and isolated populations. It flies weakly above both moist and dry alpine habitats, often visiting flowers. Flies midsummer, 1 brood. Biennial.
    
    
    The ARCTICS are closely related to the ALPINES. But ARCTICS sport striated grays and tawnies rather than the dark browns and reds of the ALPINES.  
    
    Many ARCTIC butterflies are biennial, taking two years to develop, and flying only in even or odd years in a given district.
    
    
67. Chryxus Arctic  ______  (PW:33) (K:249)
    Oeneis chryxus
    Oeneis chryxus caryi  ______  subspecies in eastern Alaska, and east in Canada to boreal Alberta
    
    
68. Uhler's Arctic  ______  (PW:33) (K:249)
    Oeneis uhleri
    Oeneis uhleri caimesi  ______  subspecies in northeast Alaska and in Yukon and far-northern Northwest Territories (Canada)
    
    
69. Sentinel Arctic  ______  (PW:34) (K:249)
    Oeneis alpina
    Oeneis alpina excubitor  ______  subspecies in northern Alaska, and in Yukon and the Northwest Territories (Canada), subspecies described in 1982
    
    
70. White-veined Arctic  ______  (PW:34) (K:251)
    Oeneis bore (or taygete) 
    Oeneis bore fordi  ______  subspecies in western Alaska and in far eastern Russia, subspecies described in 1949
    Oeneis bore hanburyi  ______  subspecies in east-central Alaska, and in the Canadian Arctic east to northeast Manitoba
    Oeneis bore mckinleyensis  ______  subspecies in the vicinity of Denali National Park, subspecies described in 1949
    
    Oeneis bore has a broad, mesial band, much like that of the Banded Alpine, and "stand-out white veins" that give it its common name, the White-veined Arctic.
    
    
71. Melissa Arctic ______  (PW:34) (K:251)
    Oeneis melissa
    Oeneis melissa gibsoni  ______  subspecies in Alaska and western and northern Yukon (Canada)
    
    There are other species of Oeneis melissa in North America in the Rocky Mountains and in eastern North America in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and in Newfoundland, Labrador, and Quebec in Canada. 
    
    
72. Philip's Arctic  ______  (species described in 1988)
    Oeneis philipi 
    
    
73. Polixenes Arctic  ______  (PW:34) (K:251)
    Oeneis polixenes
    Oeneis polixenes woodi  ______  subspecies along the Arctic coast of Alaska and Yukon (Canada)
    
    
74. Philip's (Early) Arctic  ______  (PW:34) (K:251)
    Oeneis rosovi
    
    
75. Jutta Arctic  ______  (PW:34) (K:253)
    Oeneis jutta
    Oeneis jutta alaskensis  ______  subspecies in Alaska, and east to Yukon and northern British Columbia (Canada) 
    
    
    SKIPPERS 
    
    
76. Perius Duskywing  ______  (PW:38) (K:285)
    Erynnis persius
    
    
77. Grizzled Skipper ______  (PW:38) (K:289)
    Pyrgus centaureae
    
    
78. Arctic Skipper ______  (PW:40) (K:301)
    Carterocephalus palaemon 
    
    
79. Common Branded Skipper ______  (PW:41) (K:313)
    Hesperia comma 
    
    
    Moths
    
    
80. Hummingbird Clearwing  (ph)  ______
    Hemaris thysbe
    
    
    
    Hummingbird Clearwing
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
81. Snowberry Clearwing  (ph)  ______
    Hemaris diffinis
    
    
    
    Snowberry Clearwing
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
82. Cerisy's Sphinx  (ph)  ______
    Smerinthus cerisyi
    
    
    
    A caterpillar of a Cerisy's, or One-eyed Sphinx
    (photo by Sally Brady)
    
    
83. Gallium Sphinx  (or Bedstraw Hawk Moth)  (ph)  ______
    Hyles gallii
    
    
    
    Gallium Sphinx
    (photo by Stephen Kloiber)
    
    
84. Spear-marked Black Moth  ______  (in the family Geometridae)
    Rheumaptera hastata
    
    Rheumaptera hastata is called the Argent and Sable in Eurasia. 
    
    
85. Rusty Tussock Moth  (or Vapourer)  ______  (in the family Lymantriidae)
    Orgyia antiqua
    
    
86. Great Brocade Moth  (or Great Gray Dart)  ______  (in the family Noctuidae)
    Eurois occulta  
    
    
87. Herald Moth  ______  (in the family Noctuidae)
    Scoliopteryx libatrix  
    
    
88. Arctia opulenta  ______  (a tiger moth)
    
    
89. Wood Tiger Moth  ______
    Parasemia plantaginis 
    
    
90. St. Lawrence Tiger Moth  ______
    Platarctica parthnenos
    
    Platarctica parthnenos was said to be new for Alaska in August 2009.
    
    
    LINKS TO OTHER LISTS & PHOTO GALLERIES OF MOTHS IN:  
    
    EASTERN NORTH AMERICA     CENTRAL AMERICA     THE CARIBBEAN    SOUTH AMERICA
    
    
    
    Some selected reference books regarding Butterflies:
    
    "Butterflies of North America", by Jim Brock & Kenn Kaufmann (with 2,200 images & 70 photographs)
    
    
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