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Gabb's Checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbii [Behr])
Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).
Identification: Upperside is checkered with bright orange-brown and black; median band is slightly lighter. Light bands ae slightly narrower than those of Chlosyne acastus. Female is lighter than the male. Underside of hindwing has pearly white spots.
Life history: Eggs are laid on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and are gregarious when young. Hibernation is by third-stage caterpillars.
Flight: One flight from May-July.
Caterpillar hosts: Hazardia (Haplopappus squarrosus) and beach aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia) in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Foothills, canyons, coastal cliffs and gulches.
Range: California Coast Ranges: Tulare County south to Sierra Nevada foothills, Monterey County south to Baja California.
Conservation: Not usually required.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).
Management needs: None reported.
References:
Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press,
Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.
Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,
Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
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 1999 -
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