Erebia discoidalis
Kirby, 1837
Red-disked Alpine
Erebia discoidalis, known as the red-disked alpine, is a in the Satyrinae of . It has a transcontinental distribution spanning North America and Asia, occurring in and -alpine . The is associated with open, acidic wetlands where its feed on cottongrass (Eriophorum) species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Erebia discoidalis: /ɛˈrɛbiə dɪˌskɔɪˈdeɪlɪs/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Erebia by the combination of narrow with rounded , the specific pattern of and chocolate coloration with bluish-grey dusting on margins, and the characteristic oval whitish-grey spot at the apex of the . Most similar to Erebia fasciata (banded alpine), from which it differs in wing pattern details.
Images
Appearance
Wingspan 35–44 mm. narrow with rounded ; brownish-grey, striated with whitish-grey and . Dull brown disc broadly bordered with dark chocolate anteriorly and posteriorly, with narrow border on side; dark apex feebly dusted with grey. Forewing beneath similar to above, with somewhat broader border to brown central area, apex and distal margin densely dusted with bluish-grey. beneath dark brown from base to middle, thinly dusted with whitish-grey; outer half -grey with small dark brown . Oval whitish-grey spot at apex of ; 2–3 smaller spots at costal margin.
Habitat
Large, open, grassy bogs and other areas with acidic soils. Occupies and -alpine wetland environments.
Distribution
North America: eastern Quebec, northern Ontario (south to Sudbury), northern Prairies, northern British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, and marginally into northern U.S. between Michigan and Montana. Asia: Chukot Peninsula to eastern Sayan Mountains and Amur region. Four recognized: E. d. discoidalis (nominate), E. d. lena (tundra of northern Siberia, Chukot Peninsula, Russian Far East), E. d. yablonoica (Transbaikalia, Amur), and E. d. mcdunnoughi (Alaska).
Seasonality
on from May to late July, depending on location. period varies with latitude and elevation.
Diet
feed on Eriophorum (cottongrass). diet not documented.
Host Associations
- Eriophorum - larval cottongrass
Life Cycle
with , , , and stages. Larval stage associated with Eriophorum plants in bog . Detailed not documented.
Ecological Role
in bog ; larval feeding on cottongrass contributes to in acidic wetland . likely serves as and food source for .
Human Relevance
Subject of entomological study; no significant direct economic or cultural impact documented. Potential for bog health.
Similar Taxa
- Erebia fasciataSimilar size and preferences; distinguished by pattern details including banding characteristics
More Details
Subspecies
Four recognized: E. d. discoidalis (nominate, North America), E. d. lena (tundra of northern Siberia, Chukot Peninsula, Russian Far East), E. d. yablonoica (Transbaikalia, Amur), and E. d. mcdunnoughi (Alaska). Subspecies differ in minor morphological details and geographic isolation.