Euphydryas gillettii

(W. Barnes, 1897)

Gillett's Checkerspot, Gillette's Checkerspot

Euphydryas gillettii is a medium-sized checkerspot native to western North America. The exhibits variable chemical defense through of iridoid glycosides from plants, with defensive compound concentrations varying significantly between based on host plant use. First described by William Barnes in 1897, this montane butterfly has been the subject of ecological research examining host-plant selection and chemical .

Euphydryas gillettii, female by Bill Bouton. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Euphydryas gillettii, female, side by Bill Bouton. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Seitz by wikipedia. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euphydryas gillettii: //juːˈfaɪdrɪəs ˈdʒɪlɛtaɪ//

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Identification

Distinguished from other western North American Euphydryas by geographic range and association; precise field identification requires examination of wing pattern details and locality data. Chemical analysis reveals -level differences in iridoid glycoside content that correlate with plant use.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 36–45 mm. Pattern typical of checkerspot butterflies with checkered orange and black markings on wing surfaces.

Habitat

Montane environments including valleys, glades, open wooded areas in mountains, and riparian zones near streams. Occupies elevations from lowlands to subalpine zones within its western North American range.

Distribution

Western North America from British Columbia south to Oregon, and from the Rocky Mountains west to the Pacific Ocean. Documented in Idaho, Wyoming, and Alberta.

Seasonality

fly from mid-June to early August in Alberta; period likely varies with elevation and latitude across range.

Host Associations

Lonicera involucrata - larval foodplantprimary ; bracted honeysuckle
Lonicera caerulea - larval foodplantsweetberry honeysuckle; observed in Idaho
Pedicularis groenlandica - oviposition sitelittle pink elephant; laid on this plant in Idaho, though larvae may not feed
Valeriana occidentalis - larval foodplantwestern valerian; observed in Idaho

Life Cycle

Larvae feed on plants and sequester iridoid glycosides for chemical defense. Captive rearing experiments indicate similar across multiple host plant . and details not documented in available sources.

Behavior

feed on nectar from wild geranium and yellow composite flowers. Oviposition includes laying on plants that may not serve as larval food sources.

Ecological Role

of nectar sources including wild geranium and yellow composites. Larvae function as herbivores on honeysuckles and related plants. Chemical defense compounds sequestered from plants may provide protection against .

Similar Taxa

Euphydryas edithaOverlapping western North American range; both checkerspot with similar wing patterns; distinguished by specific locality and preferences
Euphydryas auriniaRelated checkerspot ; E. aurinia is Palearctic in distribution and has been subject to conservation in Britain, whereas E. gillettii is Nearctic

More Details

Chemical Defense Variation

Idaho shows mean iridoid glycoside content of 3.89% dry weight (all individuals contain compounds), while Wyoming population shows mean of 1.27% with 20% of individuals lacking detectable compounds. This variation correlates with differential plant use between populations.

Taxonomic Note

Placed in subgenus Hypodryas by some authorities; basionym Melitaea gillettii.