Chlosyne harrisii

(Scudder, 1862)

Harris's checkerspot

Chlosyne harrisii, or Harris's checkerspot, is a North American in the Nymphalidae. It is a Batesian mimic of the unpalatable Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), sharing similar orange and black checkered wing patterns. The has a single period in early summer and is closely associated with wet meadow where its plant, flat-topped white aster (Aster umbellatus), grows. It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut.

Chlosyne harrisii by no rights reserved, uploaded by Kent McFarland. Used under a CC0 license.Chlosyne harrisii by no rights reserved, uploaded by Kent McFarland. Used under a CC0 license.Harris's Checkerspot by D. Gordon E. Robertson. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chlosyne harrisii: //kloʊˈsaɪni ˈhærɪsaɪ//

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

Identification

are often confused with the silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). Distinguished from Euphydryas phaeton by close examination of wing pattern details, though the two are remarkably similar in appearance as part of their mimetic relationship. The single red-orange stripe on the underside of the hindwing is a key feature.

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Habitat

Bogs, meadows, and wet areas where the plant flat-topped white aster (Aster umbellatus) occurs. Elevation range 0–1,742 feet (0–531 m).

Distribution

North America: Canadian Atlantic provinces (excluding Newfoundland and Labrador) west to Manitoba and North Dakota, south to West Virginia and Ohio.

Seasonality

One period occurs between June and July. are active during this brief window in early summer.

Diet

feed on flower nectar. Larvae feed exclusively on flat-topped white aster (Aster umbellatus).

Host Associations

  • Aster umbellatus - larval plantFlat-topped white aster; sole known plant for caterpillars

Life Cycle

Females lay in clusters under leaves of plants. Caterpillars feed on Aster umbellatus and overwinter during their third instar. occurs in spring, with emerging in June.

Behavior

participate in a complex with Euphydryas phaeton. Both are unpalatable to and share synchronized and overlapping periods in wet meadow . Blue jays and other visual predators have difficulty distinguishing between the two species.

Ecological Role

Member of a Müllerian mimicry ring with Euphydryas phaeton, contributing to avoidance through shared aposematic coloration. Larvae are specialized herbivores on Aster umbellatus.

Human Relevance

Subject of conservation concern; listed as a of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. Used in scientific studies of mimicry and learning.

Similar Taxa

More Details

Conservation status

Listed as a of special concern and believed extirpated in the US state of Connecticut.

Mimicry research

Feeding experiments with blue jays demonstrated that C. harrisii is palatable but visually indistinguishable from E. phaeton, confirming its role as a Batesian mimic.

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Sources and further reading