Erebia magdalena

Strecker, 1880

Magdalena Alpine

Erebia magdalena, commonly known as the Magdalena Alpine, is a high-elevation in the . The is entirely black in coloration and inhabits rocky alpine environments in western North America. It has been described as elusive and is considered one of several rare species associated with Magdalena Mountain in west-central New Mexico. The species was described by Strecker in 1880.

Erebia magdalena by (c) Doug Macaulay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Doug Macaulay. Used under a CC-BY license.

HW5-21 Erebia magdalena (4362350584) by NSG group from Lund, Sweden. Used under a CC0 license.

HW5-20 Erebia magdalena (49717651951) by NSG group from Lund, Sweden. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Erebia magdalena: /ɛˈrɛ.bi.a ˌmæg.dəˈleɪ.nə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Erebia by complete absence of patterning—most display , , or other markings. The uniform black wings separate it from Erebia epipsodea (common alpine) and Erebia discoidalis (red disc alpine), which show pale markings. In , may be confused with dark (), but E. magdalena has clubbed without hooks. specificity to high-elevation rockslides provides additional identification context.

Images

Appearance

are entirely black with no patterning. The wings lack the or markings typical of many Erebia . The uniform black coloration provides cryptic protection against dark volcanic rocks and shadowed cliff .

Habitat

Rockslides near vegetation at high elevations. Associated with volcanic or dark rocky substrates where cryptic coloration is effective. Found on Magdalena Mountain and similar alpine terrain in the southern Rocky Mountains.

Distribution

North America: United States (Montana, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico) and Canada (Alberta—Willmore Wilderness Park; British Columbia—Stone Mountain Provincial Park and adjacent areas; Yukon—isolated nunatak in Kluane National Park and Reserve).

Behavior

have been observed flying over rockslide terrain. The ' elusive nature suggests low or highly localized occurrence. Specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.

Human Relevance

Featured in Robert Michael Pyle's 2018 novel "Magdalena Mountain," which brought attention to the among and audiences. Specimens examined at the Bohart Museum of , UC Davis, during the 2019 Lepidopterists' Society conference. Not known to be of economic importance.

Similar Taxa

Erebia epipsodeaCommon alpine with similar preference but displays pale markings and absent in E. magdalena
Erebia discoidalisRed disc alpine with distinctive reddish-orange discal ; overlaps in range but easily distinguished by color pattern
Trimerotropis cyaneipennis-winged shares Magdalena Mountain and rocky substrate preference; distinguished by (), blue hind , and jumping

More Details

Conservation Status

status and specific threats not well documented; rarity and restricted alpine suggest vulnerability to climate change impacts on high-elevation

Taxonomic History

Described by Strecker in 1880; remains a valid without described