Northern Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside of male is brownish red with a pale median band; base of hindwing is dark. Underside is brownish orange with creamy white bands. Female may be similar to male or black with white spots.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 7/8 inches (3.5 - 4.8 cm).
Life History: Males perch in valleys or patrol near host plants for females. Eggs are laid in groups on the underside of host plant leaves, which the caterpillars eat. Caterpillars feed together when young, sometimes in a slight silk web. Partially-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One flight; in coastal California from April-May, in mountains and northern areas from April-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Goldenrod (Solidago), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus), and asters.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Coastal chaparral, open woodland, sagebrush, meadows, streamsides.
Range: Southern British Columbia and Alberta south to southern California, south through the Rocky Mountains to Utah and Colorado.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported. Note:This butterfly was formerly known as Chlosyne damoetas
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 662 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 03, 2009
Submitted by: hank4044
Region: Lake County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Oct 17, 2025
Observation date: Jun 20, 2025
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Jackson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 31, 2025
Observation date: May 14, 2025
Submitted by: shuckabone
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 31, 2025
Observation date: Jun 24, 1986
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 27, 2025
Observation date: Jun 11, 2025
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jun 12, 2025
Observation date: Jun 05, 2025
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2025
Observation date: May 21, 2025
Submitted by: Fladder
Region: Tuolumne County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 03, 2025
Observation date: May 19, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 29, 2025
Observation date: May 23, 1986
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 27, 2025
Observation date: May 11, 2013
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Sierra County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 26, 2024
Observation date: Jun 02, 2018
Submitted by: Buddy Mays
Region: Jefferson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 22, 2024
Observation date: Jul 08, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Summit County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 26, 2024
Observation date: Jun 23, 2024
Submitted by: k.d.stutzman
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 12, 2024
Observation date: Jul 04, 2024
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jun 23, 2024
Submitted by: rkw9000
Region: Wallowa County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 06, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jul 06, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jul 06, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jun 11, 2024
Submitted by: cklindsey
Region: Garfield County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 12, 2024
Submitted by: Darthmalius
Region: Del Norte County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 17, 2024
Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: Jun 05, 2024
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: May 17, 2024
Submitted by: yhelfman
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 18, 2024
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