The term "Arctic skipper" refers to a butterfly species that thrives in Arctic regions. Its name is spelled as "ɑːktɪk skɪpər" in IPA phonetic transcription. The sound of "ar" is pronounced as "ɑː" followed by the "k" sound, expressed as "k". The word "skipper" has two syllables, with the first syllable emphasized by the sound "sk" expressed as "skɪ" and the second syllable has the neutral vowel sound "ə" and the voiceless consonant "p" sound represented as "pər." The Arctic skipper is known for its ability to fly long distances, despite its small size.
The term "Arctic skipper" refers to a species of butterfly, scientifically known as Carterocephalus palaemon. This particular butterfly is predominantly found in the Arctic regions, including parts of Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. It is a member of the skipper family, Hesperiidae, which is characterized by their rapid, darting flight and stout bodies.
The Arctic skipper is a relatively small butterfly, with a wingspan ranging from 2 to 3 centimeters. Its upper wings are mostly dark brownish-black, whilst its underwings have a pale brown coloration. The males usually have a faint bluish iridescent sheen on their wings, which helps to differentiate them from the females. Additionally, both genders possess a small orange patch near the base of their wings, bordered by black veins.
This species typically inhabits tundra and open grassy areas, where it feeds on a variety of nectar-rich flowers, such as Arctic poppies and saxifrages. The Arctic skipper has a short active period due to its high-latitude distribution, with adults emerging from late spring to early summer. They exhibit strong territorial behavior and engage in erratic flights when attempting to defend their territories.
The complete life cycle of the Arctic skipper spans one year, during which the females lay eggs on specific grass species that act as larval host plants. The eggs hatch into small caterpillars, which subsequently feed on grass leaves until they pupate. The pupae overwinter in leaf litter before transforming into adult butterflies the following spring.
The term "Arctic skipper" does not have a specific etymology since it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can look at the origins of each individual word to better understand their meanings.
1. Arctic: The word "Arctic" comes from the Latin word "Arcticus", which means "northern". It is derived from the Greek word "Arktikos" and ultimately from "Arktos", meaning "bear" (referring to the constellation Ursa Major, commonly known as the Big Dipper or Great Bear, which appears in the northern sky). In English, "Arctic" refers to the region around the North Pole.
2. Skipper: The word "skipper" has a maritime origin. It comes from the Middle English word "scipper" or "schipper", derived from the Old English word "scipere".