# Common Alpine (*Erebia epipsodea*) The Common Alpine is a beautiful butterfly that loves to flutter around in the mountains. With its dark wings and orange spots, it looks like a tiny piece of art flying through the air! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Common Alpine](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erebia_epipsodea_dorsal.jpg&width=800) Photo: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erebia_epipsodea_dorsal.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Alpine is a medium-sized butterfly, typically dark brown with an orange-brown submarginal band on its wings. It often has prominent black eyespots, sometimes with white pupils, on its forewings. Its drab colors help it blend into rocky, high-altitude environments. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Erebia ## Interesting facts - Adult Common Alpines only live for about two weeks, making every moment precious! - Its caterpillar stage spends winter frozen in the snow before becoming a butterfly! - Some people call them 'browns' because of their earthy, camouflaged wing colors. - You can often find them above the tree line, where few other butterflies dare to fly! ## Special abilities - **Cold Weather Flier:** Common Alpine can fly in cooler mountain temperatures that help them stay active when other butterflies hide. - **Rock Camouflage:** Common Alpine has dark wings and patterns that help them blend perfectly into the rocky alpine landscape, avoiding predators. - **Wobble Flight:** Common Alpine can perform a low, bouncy flight pattern that helps them navigate windy mountain slopes more easily. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-50 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on grassy plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae primarily consume grasses and other low-growing plants, while adults feed exclusively on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, wildflowers, grasses (larvae), forbs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves for growth. - **Pollinates:** Aspen Fleabane (*Erigeron speciosus*) — Adult butterflies sip nectar from its blossoms. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds sometimes prey on unwary butterflies. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and quiet around butterflies so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Alpine? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Common Alpine's wingspan? 40-50 mm ### How big is Common Alpine? 15-20 mm ### How long does Common Alpine live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Common Alpine fly? 10 km/h ### What does Common Alpine eat? Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on grassy plants. ### Where is Common Alpine usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Common Alpine hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/laurance-s-rockefeller-preserve) — Wyoming, US · Nature Reserve - [Menor's Ferry](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/menors-ferry) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Crowsnest Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crowsnest-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Common Alpine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-alpine) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common Alpine: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-alpine)