Chalcedon Checkerspot Butterfly, Euphydryas (Occidryas) chalcedona

Picture of a Chalcedon Checkerspot on a Monkey Flower
Larval food sources utilized by the Chalcedon Checkerspot Butterflies

The caterpillars feed on the leaves of plants in the Scrophulariaceae family, such as Monkeyflower, Diplacus and Mimulus species, Bee Plant, Scrophularia species, Chinese Houses, Collinsia heterophylla, and others.

Picture of a Chalcedon Checkerspot  on a Bee Plant n a native garden
Other larval food plants include Snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus, California Aster, Lessingia filaginifolia, Desert Aster, Machaeranthera tortifolia, Rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus species, Desert Sunflower, Viguiera species, Chuparosa, Justicia californica, Penstemon species, Lippia species, and Thistles, Cirsium species.

Picture of a Chalcedon Checkerspot resting on a grape. It had just visited A Monardella in the garden.

Picture of a Chalcedon Checkerspot on a deer weedThe Chalcedon Checkerspots is not frighted easily and is a slow flier. It will usually stay in one place long enough for you to observe them more closely. These butterflies have small, checkered , black, white, cream, orange and yellow markings. The bottom of the Chalcedon Checkerspot's wings are orange with white spots where as the top of the wings are black with orange and white spots. However, individuals may very greatly.

Plant Communities where the Chalcedon Checkerspot Butterflies occurs

These butterflies have been seen in diverse habitats such as oak woodland, mixed evergreen forest, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian areas, and sagebrush scrub.

Picture of a Chalcedon Checkerspot on a Yarrow in a native garden
Adult food sources utilized by the Chalcedon Checkerspot Butterflies

Adults have been seen sipping nectar from the flowers of Globe Gilia, Gilia capitata, Seaside Daisy, Erigeron glaucus, California Yerba Santa, Eriodictyon californicum, Black Sage, Salvia mellifera, Dwarf Sunflower, Helianthus gracilentus, Phacelia brachyloba. and Pincushion Flower, Chaenactis species.

Picture of a Chalcedon Checkerspot on a Monardella sp. in the garden.

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Movie: Euphydryas chalcedona, Variable Checkerspot on Wayne Roderick.

Euphydryas chalcedona, Variable Checkerspot on Wayne Roderick.
Euphydryas chalcedona, Variable Checkerspot on Wayne Roderick. Usually white spots on abdomen, and yellow antenna balls.
Euphydryas chalcedona, Variable Checkerspot on Wayne Roderick. Usually white spots on abdomen, and yellow antenna balls.