Family: Nymphalidae, Brush-footed Butterflies view all from this family

Description 1 3/8-2" (35-51 mm). FW somewhat drawn out. Above, black with numerous cream-colored dots and red-orange spots on margin. (Some populations mostly red-orange with yellow spots above; others are black with large yellowish spots above, appearing more yellow than black or red). Below, reddish-orange FW has yellow spots in 1 or 2 submarginal bands; HW has alternating red and cream-yellow bands, ending with red border.

Similar Species Colon Checkerspot tends to have smaller cream-colored spots along margin above. Anicia and Edith's checkerspots usually more orange or cream-colored above.

Life Cycle Host plants include many members of figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) as well as plantain (Plantago), honeysuckle (Lonicera), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), and others. Black caterpillar, to 1" (25 mm), has speckles or stripes and many spines, those on back and side orange; feeds in clusters in silken nest, overwinters half grown. White chrysalis, to 3/4" (19 mm), has blackish spots and orange tubercles.

Flight 1 brood; May-July depending on altitude. Several broods in W. Arizona; April-October.

Habitat Desert hills, chaparral, open oak and pine woodlands, clearings, roadsides, and alpine tundra.

Range SW. Oregon, California, W. and S. Nevada, and W. Arizona, probably also Baja California.

Discussion The Chalcedon, Colon, Anicia and Edith's checkerspots display enormous variation from place to place and often occur together. They are easily confused and sometimes only experts can distinguish the 4 species. The Chalcedon is one of California's most abundant butterflies. This species and related checkerspots were formerly included in the genus Euphydryas.