North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature




The Registry of Nature Habitats

U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Illinois

Harris' Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
JPG -- species photo

Harris' Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii [Scudder])

Wing span: 1 7/16 - 2 inches (3.6 - 5.1 cm).

Identification: Upperside is orange with black markings. Underside of hindwing has a red-orange stripe at the margin and a red-orange, white, and black checkered pattern on remainder of wing.

Life history: Females lay eggs in clusters under host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on leaves communally in a web. Partially-grown caterpillars hibernate at the base of the host plant.

Flight: One brood from June-July.

Caterpillar hosts: Flat-topped white aster (Aster umbellatus).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Moist areas such as marshes, bog edges, pastures, and meadows.

Range: Maritime Provinces west to Manitoba, south to West Virginia, southern Ohio, and northeastern Illinois.

Conservation: Not usually required.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

References:

Opler, P. A. and G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the Great Plains. Johns 
     Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates.

Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson 
     field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.

Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, 
     Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:

Opler, P.A. 1998. A field guide to eastern butterflies, revised format.
     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
     
Sedman, Y. and Hess, D.F.  1985.  The Butterflies of West Central Illionois.
     Series in the Biological Sciences No. 11.  Western Illinois Univ., Macomb, 
     IL.  118 pp.
Harris' Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii)
distribution map
map legend

Disclaimer
Return to species list
Return to Butterflies of North America main page