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Its name is misleading as it is not found in the Arctic. In fact, it is one of most common of Skippers in North America. The highly aggressive males will defend their territory against anything that flies, including Bumblebees and Hummingbirds! In the Algonquin Highlands, its colouring is dark brown with rectangular orange spots on the upperside. On the forewing underside, this pattern is reversed, with dark brown spots on orange. The hindwing underside is pale brown with brown-rimmed white spots. Its wing span ranges from 1.9 to 3.2 cm.
Adults rest with their wings closed, but bask with their hindwings open wide and forewings open to about 45 degrees. They feed on nectar from flowers and are in flight from late May to late July. In Algonquin Highlands, you will see these butterflies usually in slightly damp places, in moist meadows and streamsides.
Females lay eggs singly on leaves of Grasses. Green eggs change to a cream colour just before hatching. The larvae feed mainly on Wild Mallows and make folded-leaf nests used when hibernating. They are beige with white and brown lines on their side, and have a black head.
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ARCTIC SKIPPER
Carterocephalus palaemon
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