Windwolf
Crex Meadows Butterflies ... Olympia Marble
Olympia Marble
Erynnis icelus
The Whites have had a bad rap by people in general. They are all associated with the Cabbage butterfly, a problem in some gardens.
This Olympia Marble was floating over fields in the northeast part of Crex Meadows.
This individual appeared very fresh and full colored with little or no wearing.
It did not allow much opportunity to photograph before flying off across the fields and out of sight. This is a common experience for me on Crex Meadows when chasing the Olympia Marble.
The Olympia Marble is found in open areas of Crex Meadows.
This side shot view was taken May 1, 2009.
The Olympia Marble is very unique on its underwing and will not be confused with other whites in Wisconsin.
The slight rose color along the underside of the hindwing varies by individual and by light source.
Common names include Olympia Marblewing and Rosy Marblewing or Rosy White.
Flight time is mainly the month of may. Late april during early warm springs is possible. This is one of the early butterflies on Crex Meadows.
The picture on the right was taken May 8, 2009
As I researched the Olympia Marble, I found a US Forest Service document for region 9 covering some aspects of the Olympia Marble. Its position is very unstable in some areas of the eastern USA.
Some status reports indicate it is likely imperiled (S2) in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,
In Kentucky and West Virginia, its status is not as clear but it is either imperiled (S2) or Vulnerable (S3).
In Maryland, its status is imperiled (S2) and listed as I (in need of conservation). Maryland does protect insects and monitors their status. 39 species of Butterflies are protected in Maryland.
For Missouri, its status is secure (S4).
New York lists this butterfly as Critically Imperiled (S1) and is listed as a Special Concern insect. One county has a good population, protected by large land tracts via the Nature Conservancy. Pennsylvania also lists the Olympia marble as Critically Imperiled (S1).
Ohio's first record of an Olympia Marble occurred in 1984. It is currently listed as Special Interest.
Virginia lists the Olympia Marble as Critically Imperiled (S1) or Imperiled (S2).
Wisconsin has the highest population of these states. Michigan also has many counties reporting the Olympia Marble, but has concerns regarding Gypsy Moth controls impacting the Olympia Marble populations.
Note: The above information is not the complete Eastern USA Olympia Marble status and is based on a report generated in September 2003.
The Olympia Marble on the right was photographed May 15, 2009.
The butterfly is begining to wear and its upper wing colors have faded much.
Olympia Marbles have one flight in Crex Meadows.
The flowers you see in most of these pictures is the Lyre-leaved rock cress and is a host plant for the caterpillars of the Olympia Marble.
Eggs are laid in singles on flower buds or leaves. The egg is white, turning red quickly, then turn gray just before hatching. Caterpillars feed on flowers, buds and seed heads, some may feed on leaves when older. Caterpillars develop rapidly and will cocoon/pupate in 2-3 weeks.
| Kingdom | Animalia | (Animals) |
| Phylum | Arthropoda | (Arthropods) |
| Superclass | Hexapoda | (Hexapods) |
| Class | Insecta | (Insects) |
| Subclass | Pterygota | (Winged Insects) |
| Order | Lepidoptera | (Butterflies and Moths) |
| Superfamily | Papilionoidea | (Butterflies) |
| Family | Pieridae | (Whites and Yellows) |
| Subfamily | Pierinae | (Whites) |
| Genus | Euchloe | (Marbles) |
| Species | olympia | (Olympia Marble) |
Picture on left taken May 21, 2008
Picture on right taken May 15, 2008
Wing span:
1 3/8 - 2 inches (3.5 - 5.1 cm).
Caterpillar hosts:
Various rock cresses (Arabis) in the mustard family (Brassicaceae).
Caterpillars feed on flowers and fruits of the host plant. Chrysalids hibernate over winter.
Habitat loss, gypsy moth erradication and even hot temperatured control burns were listed as concerns for the stability/increase of the Olympia Marble populations.