Checkerspot
Guides
Anthanassa frisia
Cuban Crescent, Cuban Crescentspot, Cuban Checkerspot
A small to medium-sized checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, with a complex subspecies structure spanning the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Neotropics. The nominate subspecies occurs in the West Indies and Florida, while subspecies tulcis (sometimes treated as a separate species) ranges from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Adults fly year-round in tropical regions and have distinct seasonal activity patterns in temperate areas. Larvae feed on specific Acanthaceae host plants.
Chlosyne
Patches and Allies, checkerspots, patches, crescentspots
Chlosyne is a genus of brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae) distributed across North and South America. The genus includes approximately 25-30 species commonly known as patches, checkerspots, and crescentspots based on their wing patterns. Species in this genus exhibit diverse ecological strategies, with larvae of many species feeding gregariously in early instars—a trait that has been shown to enhance growth rates and survival in studied species such as C. lacinia and C. janais. Adults typically display orange, black, and white checkered wing patterns that vary considerably among species and geographic regions.
Chlosyne acastus
Sagebrush Checkerspot
Chlosyne acastus, the sagebrush checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae native to western North America. Adults have a wingspan of 33–44 mm and display the characteristic orange and black checkered pattern typical of the genus. The species has one flight period annually, with adults active from May through early September. Larvae feed on specific Asteraceae host plants, with documented utilization of rabbit-brush, desert-aster, woolly sunflower, arrowleaf balsamroot, and common sunflower.
Chlosyne damoetas
Rockslide Checkerspot
Chlosyne damoetas, commonly known as the Rockslide Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is native to western North America, where it inhabits rocky and montane environments. The species was originally described by Skinner in 1902 under the basionym Melitaea damoetas.
Chlosyne definita
Definite Patch, Definite Checkerspot
Chlosyne definita, commonly known as the Definite Patch or Definite Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the checkerspot group within the genus Chlosyne. The species was first described by Aaron in 1885, originally placed in the genus Melitaea. Two subspecies are recognized: C. d. definita and C. d. anastasia.
Chlosyne endeis
Banded Checkerspot, Banded Patch
Chlosyne endeis, commonly known as the banded checkerspot or banded patch, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the tribe Melitaeini, which includes crescents, checkerspots, and anglewings. The species was first described by Godman and Salvin in 1894. Two subspecies are recognized: Chlosyne endeis endeis and Chlosyne endeis pardelina.
Chlosyne eumeda
Eumeda Checkerspot
Chlosyne eumeda is a checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by Godman and Salvin in 1894. It is primarily found in Mexico, with rare strays occasionally reaching southern Arizona and southern Texas. The species belongs to a genus of brush-footed butterflies known for their distinctive checkered wing patterns.
Chlosyne fulvia
Fulvia checkerspot
Chlosyne fulvia, the Fulvia checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species ranges from the southwestern United States (Kansas, Colorado, southern Utah, Arizona) south to central Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 32–50 mm and feed on flower nectar. The larvae are specialized feeders on Castilleja species, particularly Castillega integra and Castilleja lanata.
Chlosyne gabbii
Gabb's Checkerspot
Chlosyne gabbii is a rare checkerspot butterfly endemic to California. Adults have a wingspan of 32–45 mm with bright orange-brown and black checkered uppersides; females are lighter than males. The species is threatened throughout its range and is known from only a small geographic area in the western United States.
Chlosyne gorgone
Gorgone Checkerspot
Chlosyne gorgone is a Nymphalinae butterfly occurring across central North America. Adults have orange wings with black markings and a wingspan of 32–45 mm. Larvae feed on Asteraceae host plants including Helianthus, Ambrosia, Iva, and Viguiera species; adults visit nectar sources, particularly yellow flowers. The species exhibits geographic variation in brood number, with one generation in the north and up to three in the south.
Chlosyne harrisii
Harris's checkerspot
Chlosyne harrisii, or Harris's checkerspot, is a North American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is a Batesian mimic of the unpalatable Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), sharing similar orange and black checkered wing patterns. The species has a single flight period in early summer and is closely associated with wet meadow habitats where its host plant, flat-topped white aster (Aster umbellatus), grows. It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut.
Chlosyne leanira
Leanira Checkerspot
Chlosyne leanira, commonly known as the Leanira Checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, tribe Melitaeini. It occurs in western North America from Oregon through California, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, and south to Baja California. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size and coloration, with females larger but males displaying more prominent red wing markings. Larvae are specialized feeders on Castilleja species (Orobanchaceae) and overwinter in the third instar.
Chlosyne melitaeoides
Red-spotted Patch
Chlosyne melitaeoides, commonly known as the red-spotted patch, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a group that includes crescents, checkerspots, and anglewings. The species was originally described by Felder & Felder in 1867 under the basionym Synchloe melitaeoides. It carries the MONA/Hodges number 4501.1.
Chlosyne nycteis
Silvery Checkerspot
Chlosyne nycteis, the silvery checkerspot, is a North American brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adults display pale yellow-orange wings with dark borders and distinctive white-centered submarginal spots on the hindwings. The species inhabits moist areas including streamsides, meadows, and forest openings across a broad range from southern Canada to Georgia, Florida, and Texas. It has declined in parts of its northeastern range and is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut and Maine, believed extirpated from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Chlosyne palla
Northern Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla, the northern checkerspot, is a North American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adults have a wingspan of 30–48 mm and display a distinctive checkered pattern of dark brown, light orange, and tan on the upperside, with alternating red and yellow cells on the underside. The species has one flight period annually, occurring from April to July depending on elevation and latitude. Caterpillars feed on goldenrod, rabbitbrush, and asters.
Chlosyne palla altasierra
High Sierra Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla altasierra is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by Emmel, Emmel & Mattoon in 1998. It is known by the common name High Sierra Checkerspot. The subspecies is recognized as valid and accepted in taxonomic databases. As a member of the genus Chlosyne, it belongs to a group of butterflies commonly known as crescents and checkerspots, which are characterized by their orange and black patterned wings.
Chlosyne palla calydon
Calydon Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla calydon is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Calydon Checkerspot. It belongs to a group of brush-footed butterflies characterized by orange and black checkered wing patterns. The subspecies was described by W. Holland in 1931. Records indicate its presence in North America.
Chlosyne palla palla
Chlosyne palla palla is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as the checkerspots or crescents. Limited observational records exist for this particular subspecies.
Chlosyne rosita browni
Chlosyne rosita browni is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly described by Bauer in 1961. It belongs to the genus Chlosyne, a group of brush-footed butterflies commonly known as checkerspots. The subspecies is part of the larger species Chlosyne rosita, which occurs in North America. Like other members of the Nymphalidae family, it exhibits the characteristic reduced front legs of brush-footed butterflies.
Chlosyne theona
Theona Checkerspot
Chlosyne theona, commonly known as the Theona Checkerspot, is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in Hawaii. The species is part of the checkerspot group within the genus Chlosyne, which includes several similar-looking species with patterned orange and black wing markings. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 4508.
Euphydryas
checkerspot butterflies
Euphydryas is a genus of checkerspot butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. The genus includes species that have been extensively studied in population biology 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 host plants and construct silk webs.
Euphydryas anicia
Anicia checkerspot, Sacramento Mountains checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia is a checkerspot butterfly (family Nymphalidae) native to the southwestern United States. The species is represented by several subspecies, including E. a. howlandi and E. a. cloudcrofti, the latter being a rare, localized form endemic to the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. The subspecies E. a. cloudcrofti has been proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act due to its extremely restricted range and vulnerability to habitat changes. Checkerspot butterflies in this genus are typically associated with specific host plants and occupy distinct elevational zones.
Euphydryas anicia anicia
Anicia checkerspot, Variable checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia anicia is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Populations studied at Cumberland Pass, Colorado (elevation 3700 m) numbered 50,000–100,000 individuals, the largest recorded in 19 years of Euphydryas population studies. Adults sequester iridoid glycosides from host plants including Castilleja and Besseya species. Movement distances between recapture events averaged less than 100 meters, though greater than most Euphydryas populations and comparable to more vagile E. chalcedona and E. editha populations.
Euphydryas anicia bernadetta
Euphydryas anicia bernadetta is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the Euphydryas anicia species complex, which comprises multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. The bernadetta subspecies occurs in specific regional populations. Like other checkerspot butterflies, it exhibits the characteristic orange, black, and white wing patterning typical of the genus. The species complex includes several named subspecies with restricted distributions, reflecting localized adaptation to specific habitats and host plants.
Euphydryas anicia brucei
Bruce's checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia brucei is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Historically treated under the genus Occidryas, it is now classified within Euphydryas. The subspecies is associated with montane habitats in western North America. Like other Euphydryas species, it likely has a complex life cycle involving specific larval host plants and adult nectar sources.
Euphydryas anicia capella
Euphydryas anicia capella is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, originally described by W. Barnes in 1897. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Occidryas anicia capella in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within the Euphydryas complex. The species belongs to a group of fritillary butterflies known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns and association with specific host plants.
Euphydryas anicia carmentis
Euphydryas anicia carmentis is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently recognized as a synonym under the genus Occidryas in some taxonomic systems, though iNaturalist maintains it under Euphydryas. The subspecies has been documented in at least 6 observations on iNaturalist. Like other members of the Melitaeini tribe, it is associated with specific larval host plants and occupies particular habitat types in its range.
Euphydryas anicia eurytion
Euphydryas anicia eurytion is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified under the genus Euphydryas, though some taxonomic systems place it in the genus Occidryas. The subspecies has been documented in 21 iNaturalist observations. Like other members of the Euphydryas genus, it is a brush-footed butterfly with specialized larval host plant associations.
Euphydryas anicia hermosa
Euphydryas anicia hermosa is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species Euphydryas anicia is currently placed in the genus Euphydryas, though some sources recognize it under the genus Occidryas. This subspecies was described by W.G. Wright in 1905. The broader species Euphydryas anicia is known as the Anicia checkerspot, with several recognized subspecies distributed across western North America.
Euphydryas anicia hopfingeri
Hopfinger's Checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia hopfingeri is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Gunder in 1934. The subspecies is currently considered a synonym under Occidryas anicia in some taxonomic systems, though it remains recognized as Euphydryas anicia hopfingeri in others. It is part of the Euphydryas anicia species complex, which includes multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. The species complex is associated with specific host plants and has been subject to conservation concern due to habitat requirements and climate sensitivity.
Euphydryas anicia magdalena
Magdalena alpine butterfly
Euphydryas anicia magdalena is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly endemic to the Magdalena Mountains of west-central New Mexico. It was originally described by W. Barnes and J.H. McDunnough in 1918. The subspecies is considered rare and elusive, inhabiting alpine environments at high elevations. It has been featured in conservation literature, most notably in Robert Michael Pyle's novel "Magdalena Mountain," which helped raise awareness of this distinctive black alpine butterfly. The subspecies is currently synonymized under Occidryas anicia in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing revisions in checkerspot butterfly systematics.
Euphydryas anicia veaziae
Veazie's checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia veaziae is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the Euphydryas anicia species complex, a group of closely related checkerspot butterflies found in western North America. The subspecies is named after Veazie, likely referencing a person or place associated with its discovery or type locality. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with specific host plants for larval development.
Euphydryas anicia wecoeut
Euphydryas anicia wecoeut is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a complex of Euphydryas checkerspots found in western North America. The subspecies was described in 2006 by M. Fisher, Spomer, and Scott. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with specific host plants for larval development. The broader species Euphydryas anicia has been the subject of conservation concern, with related subspecies proposed for federal listing.
Euphydryas anicia windi
Euphydryas anicia windi is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified as a synonym of Occidryas anicia windi in some taxonomic databases. The subspecies was described by Gunder in 1932. Very limited information is available about this specific subspecies in the provided sources.
Euphydryas chalcedona
Chalcedon checkerspot, variable checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona is a species of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Chalcedon checkerspot or variable checkerspot. It is native to western North America, with its range extending from British Columbia south to Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains. The species exhibits considerable variation in wing pattern and coloration across its geographic range. Like other members of the genus Euphydryas, it is associated with specific larval host plants and has been subject to conservation concern due to habitat loss and climate change impacts affecting butterfly populations across the western United States.
Euphydryas chalcedona
Chalcedon Checkerspot, Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona, commonly known as the Chalcedon Checkerspot or Variable Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. The species exhibits considerable geographic variation in appearance across its range. It is found in western North America, with populations occurring in diverse habitats from coastal areas to montane regions. Like other members of the genus Euphydryas, it has been affected by the broader declines in butterfly populations documented across the western United States.
Euphydryas chalcedona a paradoxa
Euphydryas chalcedona a paradoxa is a subspecies of the variable checkerspot butterfly, a member of the Nymphalidae family. The species Euphydryas chalcedona occurs in western North America, with subspecies showing geographic variation in appearance and distribution. Like other checkerspots, this taxon is associated with specific host plant relationships and has been subject to conservation concern due to habitat pressures. The subspecies epithet 'a paradoxa' suggests anomalous or unusual characteristics compared to the nominate form.
Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona
Chalcedon Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The larvae are oligophagous, feeding primarily on plants in the Scrophulariaceae family including Diplacus aurantiacus and Scrophularia californica. Populations show geographic variation in host plant use and specialization, with some colonies being monophagous on single Penstemon species while others use multiple hosts. The subspecies has been the subject of extensive research on insect-plant coevolution, host preference, and population biology.
Euphydryas chalcedona colon
Variable Checkerspot (colon subspecies)
Euphydryas chalcedona colon is a subspecies of the variable checkerspot butterfly, a member of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Population studies at Jasper Ridge, California have revealed that colonies of this subspecies consist of two independently varying major demographic units, representing a portion of a larger deme rather than isolated populations. This structure differs from its congener Euphydryas editha, which occurs as partially connected demes.
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus whose members are known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns. The subspecies is currently recognized as a synonym under the genus Occidryas in some taxonomic treatments. Checkerspot butterflies in this group are associated with specific host plants and have been subject to conservation concern due to habitat loss and climate change impacts across western North America.
Euphydryas chalcedona wallacensis
Euphydryas chalcedona wallacensis is a subspecies of the Variable Checkerspot butterfly, endemic to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It represents a geographically isolated population of Euphydryas chalcedona that has adapted to high-elevation habitats. The subspecies is of conservation concern due to its restricted range and vulnerability to climate change impacts on montane ecosystems.
Euphydryas editha
Edith's Checkerspot
Euphydryas editha is a checkerspot butterfly native to western North America, notable for extensive phenotypic variation across its range including differences in coloration, wing length, and body size. The species has been intensively studied for over 40 years as a model organism for metapopulation ecology, population dynamics, and conservation biology. Many populations are monophagous, relying on specific host plants for larval development. The species exhibits complex population dynamics with frequent local extinctions and recolonizations, and has experienced significant range-wide declines linked to climate change.
Euphydryas gillettii
Gillett's Checkerspot, Gillette's Checkerspot
Euphydryas gillettii is a medium-sized checkerspot butterfly native to western North America. The species exhibits variable chemical defense through sequestration of iridoid glycosides from host plants, with defensive compound concentrations varying significantly between populations 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 ecology.
Microtia elada
Elada Checkerspot
Microtia elada, commonly known as the Elada Checkerspot, is a butterfly species in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. The species was formerly placed in the genus Texola, and some sources still use this synonym. It is a North American species with a distribution spanning from the southwestern United States into Mexico.
Phyciodes graphica
Vesta Crescent
Phyciodes graphica, commonly known as the vesta crescent, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently recognized as a subspecies of Phyciodes vesta (P. vesta graphica) in some taxonomic treatments, though it has historically been treated as a distinct species. The vesta crescent belongs to a group of small to medium-sized butterflies known as crescents and checkerspots, characterized by their orange and black patterned wings.