Euphydryas

Scudder, 1872

checkerspot butterflies

Species Guides

7

Euphydryas is a of checkerspot in the Nymphalidae. The genus includes that have been extensively studied in and conservation, with some species subject to reintroduction efforts. Several species are declining across their ranges, with climate change identified as a significant factor. Larvae typically feed on specific plants and construct silk webs.

Euphydryas chalcedona by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.Euphydryas chalcedona hennei by (c) desertnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by desertnaturalist. Used under a CC-BY license.Euphydryas by (c) Bernie Paquette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bernie Paquette. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euphydryas: /juːˈfaɪdrɪəs/

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

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Distribution

Europe, North America, and Asia. Specific distribution varies by : E. aurinia occurs across Europe including the UK; E. editha is found in western North America; E. maturna has been documented in Finland; E. desfontainii and E. aurinia co-occur in Spain; E. phaeton occurs in eastern North America with an Ozark (E. p. ozarkae).

Host Associations

  • Melampyrum sylvaticum - pre- plantDocumented for E. maturna in Finland; larvae construct webs on this plant
  • Collinsia torreyi - plant used by E. editha at one California site
  • Pedicularis semibarbata - plant used by E. editha at adjacent California site
  • Fraxinus excelsior - plant (first year)Used by E. maturna; larvae switch to Viburnum opulus in second year
  • Viburnum opulus - plant (second year)Used by E. maturna after switching from Fraxinus excelsior

Life Cycle

Larvae of at least some construct silk webs on plants. E. maturna exhibits a two-year development with host plant switching: larvae feed on Fraxinus excelsior in the first year, then switch to Viburnum opulus in the second year. Larvae of E. aurinia have been observed basking in groups. Some species produce multiple per year; E. phaeton in Maryland has two broods annually, with the second brood as caterpillars.

Behavior

Larvae of E. aurinia exhibit basking in groups. E. editha discriminate among plants during oviposition, with some showing prealighting search behavior directed toward dense host patches while others show no significant prealighting discrimination. E. editha bayensis is capable of long-distance (several kilometers) but interhabitat movements appear non-oriented unless within 50 m of suitable .

Ecological Role

Larvae serve as for in Ichneumonidae and Braconidae.

Human Relevance

E. aurinia has been the subject of conservation in the UK since 2005, with reintroduction efforts using donor within the region. E. editha bayensis has been studied extensively for metapopulation dynamics and conservation. Multiple Euphydryas are declining due to climate change and loss, making them subjects of conservation concern and research.

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Sources and further reading