Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Rockslide Checkerspot
Chlosyne whitneyi (Behr, 1863)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is slightly glossy black with pale orange to creamy white bands; female may be much darker. Underside of hindwing with a light orange marginal band, then alternating orange and creamy white bands on remainder of wing.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 5/8 inches (3.2 - 4.1 cm).
Life History: Males patrol and sometimes perch in hollows of rockslides to wait for females. Eggs are laid in batches on underside of host plant leaves and sometimes on flower buds. Caterpillars eat leaves and flowers, and feed together in groups. Third- and fourth-stage caterpillars hibernate under rocks; some diapause for two years or more to survive bad weather.
Flight: One flight from July-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Alpine plants of the sunflower family including Erigeron and Solidago species.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, benches, and rockslides at or above treeline.
Range: Rare. British Columbia and Alberta south in the mountains to California and Colorado.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR:
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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