Plants and Animals
Oeneis macounii Macoun's arctic
Key Characteristics
Wingspan 2.2 inches (5.6 cm). Upper surfaces are orange-brown with narrow black margins; the forewing usually has two black eyespots, and the hindwing has one smaller eyespot. The undersurface of the forewing is essentially orange-brown with two eyespots; the hindwing is mottled blackish brown, usually with a tiny eyespot. Caterpillars are greenish to brown with lateral brownish stripes.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: G5 - Secure
State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Keweenaw | 1 | 2014 |
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
Wet or boggy meadows. Open jack pine forest, mixed hardwood openings, edges and brushy rocky ridges. In Michigan, currently known only from Isle Royale.
Natural Community Types
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
Surveys and research are needed to assess this species' abundance, distribution, life history, ecology and threats. Sites at which this species has been documented should be protected and maintained. Adequate suitable habitat at known sites should be maintained including sufficient densities of the species' host plant (once determined). Long-term preservation of the habitats with which this species is associated require maintenance and/or restoration of natural disturbance regimes and other ecological processes that lead to establishment and maintenance of these natural communities.
Active Period
Flight from second week of June to first week of July
Survey Methods
Adults have been observed on mountain maple and bastard-toadflax. Larvae eat grasses and sedges in captivity. Food plants in the wild are unknown other than the larval host plant is a boreal grass. Males are quite pugnacious and territorial. The Macoun's arctic has single generation but is unusual in that the species requires two years to complete a single generation. After eggs are laid in June, larvae feed from July through September. They overwinter during the first year as a small larva. The larva continues feeding the following spring into the fall. They overwinter during the second year as a mature larva. Pupation occurs in the spring and adults fly in late May and early June to early July.
Visual, aerial net
Survey Period: From second week of June to first week of July
Time of Day: Daytime
References
Survey References
- Klots, A.B. 1951. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 349pp.
- Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada (Part 1): Collecting, preparing, and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. Publication 1643. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa.
Technical References
- Glassberg, J. 1999. Butterflies through Binoculars: The East. Oxford University Press, New York. 242pp.
- Klots, A.B. 1951. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 349pp.
- Nielsen, M.C. 1999. Michigan butterflies and skippers: A field guide and reference. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2675, East Lansing. 248pp.
- Stehr, F. W. 1997. Michigan Lepidoptera Survey Sites and Seasonal Occurrence of Michigan's Listed Species Annual Report 1997. 30 pp.+ MI Lepidoptera Survey Data Collection Form