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Arctic Katahdin butterfly

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arctic Katahdin butterfly
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Oeneis
Species:
Subspecies:
O. p. katahdin
Trinomial name
Oeneis polixenes katahdin
(Newcomb, 1901)

The arctic Katahdin butterfly (Oeneis polixenes katahdin) is a subspecies of the polixenes arctic (Oeneis polixenes). This particular butterfly is considered endangered because it only appears on Mount Katahdin in the State of Maine, and its small population fluctuates every year.[1]

Description

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The arctic Katahdin butterfly is a yellowish-brown color with semi translucent wings.[1] An adult can measure about 2-4 inches.[2]

Habitat

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The arctic Katahdin butterfly, like other arctic butterflies, prefers tundra conditions[3] However, this particular type of butterfly resides in only one area of the world, the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine’s Baxter State Park.[1][2]

Life span

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These butterflies usually have a 2 year life cycle.[1]

Threats

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The arctic Katahdin butterfly is listed in Maine as an endangered species. The main threat to these butterflies are humans. It is currently illegal to collect the arctic Katahdin butterfly.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. (2003). Katahdin Arctic (Oeneis polixenes katahdin). Retrieved April 17, 2018, from https://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/endangered/pdfs/katahdinarctic_110_111.pdf
  2. ^ a b Ballenger, Brian. (n.d.) Katahdin Arctic Butterfly (Oneis polixnes katahdin). Retrieved April 17, 2018, from http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/ccorbin/Biodiversity/Ballenger/Katahdin%20Arctic%20Butterfly%20website.htm
  3. ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America. (2016, June 28). Polixenes Arctic Oeneis polixenes (Fabricius, 1775). Retrieved April 17, 2018, from https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Oeneis-polixenes