Variable Checkerspot (Yukon Species of Conservation Concern Guide)

Variable Checkerspot

Euphydryas chalcedona

Habitat ⁴

Adults emerge in June and breed in sunny, low elevation, dry rocky to sandy areas that have the larval foodplant, Beard-tongue (probably Penstemon procerus but P. gormanii is also possible). Adults die by mid-July. Egg masses are laid on Beard-tongue leaves, and the caterpillars live in “tents” on the plants. The cat- erpillars hibernate in the tents, and complete their growth in the spring.

Distribution ⁴

Yukon: Southern Yukon.
North America: Yukon south to California in the Coastal Mountains.
Global: North America.

Distinguishing Features ⁴

The upperside of the wings is a “checkerboard” pattern of black with white spots, and some red spots. Most of the red spots are in a band along the outer edge of the forewing. The underside of the wings is similar to the upperside, but the colours are “faded.” The similar Anicia Checkerspot is widespread and frequently abundant in southern Yukon, but the colours are less bold (more pastel shades), there are orangeish spots throughout the wing areas, and the white spots are mostly yellowish or orangish rather than pure white.

Sources and Credits

(c) Patrick Dockens, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/15174578@N00/2453431082
(c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Nymphalidae/Nymphalinae/Euphydryas_chalcedona_klotsi/Euphydryas_chalcedona_klotsi_M_Log_Corral_Canyon_Maricopa_Co._ARIZONA_USA_17-IX-2010-3-BOA.jpg
(c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Nymphalidae/Nymphalinae/Euphydryas_c_chalcedona/Euphydryas_c_chalcedona_larva_Montana_de_Oro_SP_San_Luis_Obispo_Co_CA_USA_05-IV-08_BB1.jpg
(c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Animal	Insect
Insect	Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera)
Color	black, orange, red, white

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