Calephelis borealis

(Grote & Robinson, 1866)

Northern Metalmark

Calephelis borealis, the northern , is a small in the to the eastern United States. It is one of few tropical-associated riodinids found in eastern North America. The has declined across its range due to loss from afforestation and encroachment. Active management including thinning and invasive plant removal has been shown to increase local .

Northern Metalmark by Eric Haley from Winter Park, Florida, USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Northern Metalmark - Calephelis borealis, Allegany County, Maryland - 28173791216 by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Northern Metalmark - Calephelis borealis, Green Ridge State Forest, Flintstone, Maryland (34675923826) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calephelis borealis: //kæ.ləˈfɛ.lɪs bɔˈriː.ə.lɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Wingspan 29–32 mm. Distinguished from other eastern by its limited geographic range and association with limestone, shale, or serpentine barren . have the characteristic metalmark pattern with metallic spots, though specific diagnostic markings distinguishing it from are not documented in available sources.

Images

Habitat

Open woodland streams near serpentine, shale, or limestone barrens. Requires ecotonal structure with -loving larval hostplant spatially proximate to sun-loving nectar resources. Associated with eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) and limestone soils. openness is critical; dense forest encroachment eliminates .

Distribution

Western Connecticut south through west-central Pennsylvania; central Appalachians and Ohio River Valley. Isolated in southwest Missouri, Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma.

Seasonality

active mid-June to late July. One per year.

Diet

feed on leaves of Packera ovata (also referenced as P. obovata). feed on nectar from butterflyweed, sweet clover, goldenrod, ox- daisy, sneezeweed, and yarrow.

Host Associations

  • Packera ovata - larval hostplantprimary ; also referenced as Packera obovata
  • Packera obovata - larval hostplantalternate spelling/referenced name for same
  • Juniperus virginiana - associateeastern redcedar associated with occupied sites

Life Cycle

Overwinters as in leaf litter. One per year with emerging mid-June to late July.

Behavior

Exhibits metapopulation structure that buffers against climatic variability and precipitation fluctuations. Responds positively to active management including thinning and removal.

Human Relevance

Listed as endangered in Connecticut by state authorities. Classified as vulnerable globally by The Nature Conservancy. Subject of management efforts including restoration.

Similar Taxa

  • Calephelis australis with documented ; southern distribution distinguishes it
  • Calephelis nemesis with documented ; different geographic range and association

Tags

Sources and further reading