Melitaeini
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.
Anthanassa tulcis
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
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 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 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 rosita
Rosita Patch
Chlosyne rosita is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, characterized by distinctive orange-red patches on the wings. It occurs throughout Central America and Mexico, with occasional records in the southwestern United States. The species is similar in appearance to the more widespread crimson patch (Chlosyne janais).
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 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 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 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 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 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.
Microtia
elf
Microtia is a monophyletic genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, containing the single species Microtia elva, commonly known as the elf. The genus is distributed across the southern United States and Central America. Larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae, particularly Tetramerium.
Microtia elva
Elf, Elf Butterfly
Microtia elva, commonly known as the elf or elf butterfly, is a small butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is the sole member of its genus, which is monophyletic and restricted to the southern United States and Central America. The species has been observed over 3,000 times on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented within its range. Larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae, particularly Tetramerium species.
Phyciodes incognitus
Phyciodes incognitus is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the genus Phyciodes, which includes the crescent butterflies. The genus Phyciodes comprises small to medium-sized butterflies characterized by orange and black wing patterns with distinctive crescent-shaped markings on the hindwings. Species within this genus are primarily North American and are associated with asteraceous host plants.
Phyciodes picta
Painted Crescent
Phyciodes picta, the painted crescent, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the tribe Melitaeini, which includes crescents and checkerspots. The species is distributed across North America and is recognized by its distinctive wing patterns. Three subspecies have been described: P. p. picta, P. p. canace, and P. p. pallescens.