Uhler’s Arctic
Oeneis uhleri varuna (W. H. Edwards, 1882)
Family: Nymphalidae (formerly Satyridae)
Status: Uncommon local resident
NENHP Ranking: S2S3 Tier 2
Range: Uhler’s Arctic is found in Alaska and the Northwest Territories and in southern portions of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba south into Minnesota and New Mexico. In Nebraska it is restricted to the panhandle counties.
Larval Hostplant(s): Various grasses.
Broods/Flight Times: One early summer flight from late May into mid-June.
Overwintering: As a partially grown larvae.
Habitat: This butterfly is found in prairie openings of pine forests in the Pine Ridge. East of there they are found on prairie hillsides.
Avg. Wingspan: 1 1/2 – 2 3/16 inches
Found at: Gilbert-Baker SWMA, Wildcat Hills SRA, Courthouse/Jailhouse Rock Park (Morrill Co.)
Similar Species: Ridings’ Satyr
Notes: Adults rarely visit flowers and perch on the ground where they blend in with grasses.
Uhler’s Arctic, Matthew Brust
