Summary ²

This species is holarctic, ranging from Siberia and across the North American arctic with isolated populations in the Rocky Mountains and New Hampshire. The Melissa Arctic occupies tundra, talus slopes, rocky summits and saddles. Adults, with a wing span of 42 - 51 mm, take flight from mid June to early August. Caterpillars feed on sedges (including Bigelow’s sedge) and require two years to reach maturity.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Kent McFarland, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/vtebird/5958285494/
2. (c) Bob Chinn, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Lepiforum
• Moth Photographers Group
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths
• 日本のレッドデータ検索システム

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