Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)

Rare and local in boggy habitats and wet meadows in the NC mountains, this species seems to be declining in its range.
Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009

Very distinct butterfly with nothing else looking like it in North Carolina. Note black ground color with a marginal row of orange spots and 2-4 rows of median to post-median pale yellow spots.

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009

Antennal clubs and face are bright orange.


Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009


Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009
Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Haywood Co., NC
9 June 2009


Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Luskville, Pontiac, Quebec
15 July 2018

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Luskville, Pontiac, Quebec
15 July 2018

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Hillsdale Co., MI
30 June 2004

Baltimore Checkerspots (Euphydryas phaeton)
St Clair Co., MI 8 July 2003
Baltimore Checkerspot
Baltimore Checkerspot Baltimore Checkerspot

While turtleheads like this White Turtlehead are the traditionally reported caterpillar host plant for Baltimore Checkerspots, it's suspected they may use species in the genera Aureolaria and/or Plantago as well.

White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Quebec,Canada
5 Aug 2005


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Created on ... July 12, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com