Some Butterflies of the Northern Boreal Forest

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The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) occurs throughout the Northern Boreal Forest and southward into the transition zone with the Eastern Deciduous Forest. It is closely related to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail but is smaller. The species is found in both in deciduous patches within the Northern Boreal Forest such as patches of aspens and in the mixed coniferous-deciduous forests of the transition zone.

The adults fly between early June and mid-August. The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees, but in particular Quaking Aspen, Crabapple, and Black Cherry. Adult males are often found congregating at muddy spots on dirt roads or trails.

The Mustard White (Pieris oleracea) is found throughout most of the Northern Forest, but is replaced in Alaska by a closely related species. The species is easily recognized by its white coloration and the dark green accenting of the wing veins on the underside of the wings. The species is found in small to large openings in the coniferous forest. Adults fly between April and August and there are two broods a year. The caterpillar feeds on plants of the mustard family including rock cresses, mustards, and toothworts.

The Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior) is one of a number of closely related, and superficially near identical, species of the genus Colias including the Clouded Sulphur of the United States and a series of species found in the Arctic Tundra. This particular species is found throughout the Northern Boreal Forest except for Alaska. It is called the Pink-edged Sulphur because the outer margins of the wings have prominent pink fringes. The female looks different than the male with black restricted to the apex of the forewing.

The adults are found on boggy of scrubby areas of the Northern Boreal Forest dominated by blueberries and other heaths. The larvae feed on blueberries.

The Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas) occurs throughout the Northern Boreal Forest as well as the southern reaches of the Arctic Tundra and the western mountains of the United States. Within the Northern Boreal Forest the species is found in bogs and openings in the coniferous forest, but outside of the Taiga it is found in subalpine meadows, and rocky tundra slopes.

The larvae feed on a variety of species of the pea family including lupines, vetches, and milk vetches. The adults fly between June and early October depending on location.

The Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) is one of a number of northern butterfly species in the genus Polygonia. Unlike most butterfly species, the commas emerge in the fall, overwinter as adults, and then reappear in the spring. The commas are generally easily recognized by the ragged appearance of the wing margins. The Hoary Comma occurs throughout the Northern Boreal Forest and the mountain ranges of the western United States. The adults are found along streams or in mixed coniferous-deciduous forest. The larvae feed on currents (Ribes spp.)

The Jutta Arctic (Oeneis jutta) is one of a large number of satyrid species found in the northern half of North America or the mountains of the western United States. The Jutta Arctic is typical of the Northern Boreal Forest with a range extending throughout the biome and into the northern Rocky Mountains. The adults are found in spruce bogs and further north wet tundra. The larvae feed on sedges and cottongrass. Adults fly from June to early August, but appear only every other year, the larvae taking two years to develop.