The arctic Katahdin butterfly (''Oeneis polixenes katahdin'') is a subspecies of the polixenes arctic ('' Oeneis polixenes''). This particular butterfly is considered

endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inva ...

because it only appears on

Mount Katahdin Mount Katahdin ( ) is the highest mountain in the U.S. state of Maine at . Named Katahdin, which means "Great Mountain", by the Penobscot Native Americans, it is within Northeast Piscataquis, Piscataquis County, and is the centerpiece of Baxte ...

in the State of

Maine Maine () is a state in the New England and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and north ...

, and its small population fluctuates every year.Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. (2003). Katahdin Arctic (Oeneis polixenes katahdin). Retrieved April 17, 2018, from https://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/endangered/pdfs/katahdinarctic_110_111.pdf

Description

The arctic Katahdin butterfly is a yellowish-brown color with semi translucent wings. An adult can measure about 2-4 inches.Ballenger, Brian. (n.d.) Katahdin Arctic Butterfly (Oneis polixnes katahdin). Retrieved April 17, 2018, from http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/ccorbin/Biodiversity/Ballenger/Katahdin%20Arctic%20Butterfly%20website.htm

Habitat

The arctic Katahdin butterfly, like other arctic butterflies, prefers tundra conditionsButterflies and Moths of North America. (2016, June 28). Polixenes Arctic Oeneis polixenes (Fabricius, 1775). Retrieved April 17, 2018, from https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Oeneis-polixenes However, this particular type of butterfly resides in only one area of the world, the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine’s

Baxter State Park Baxter State Park is a large wilderness area permanently preserved as a state park in Northeast Piscataquis, Piscataquis County in north-central Maine, United States. It is in the North Maine Woods region and borders the Katahdin Woods and Wate ...

Life span

These butterflies usually have a 2 year life cycle.

Threats

The arctic Katahdin butterfly is listed in Maine as an endangered species. The main threat to these butterflies are humans. It is currently illegal to collect the arctic Katahdin butterfly.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q25351468 Oeneis Butterflies of North America Butterflies described in 1901 Endangered fauna of the United States Biota of Maine North Maine Woods Butterfly subspecies