Harris’ Checkerspot is a small butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. They can be found in eastern Canada, and New England, south to West Virginia, and westward to North Dakota, Ohio, and Illinois (1, 2). In Maryland, they are only known to occur in far western Maryland including Garrett and Allegany Counties (3, 4).
The Harris’ Checkerspot has a wingspan of 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ inches. Their upperside is orange with brownish-black markings and wide black borders. The underside of their hindwing has reddish-orange stripes along the margin and the remainder of their hindwing is checkered with black, white, and a reddish-orange (1, 2).
In Maryland, Harris’ Checkerspot has one flight period from late-May to mid-June (4). As an adult they can be found visiting daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus), hawkweed (Hieracium marianum), and composites (4).
The female lays approximately 200 eggs on the underside of several host plants (2), including Flat-topped white aster (Aster umbellatus) (4). Upon hatching, larvae feed and ultimately form a web. In mid-August, they begin pupation to overwinter (2).
In Maryland, the Harris' Checkerspot prefers bogs, damp meadows, and emergent wetlands (4, 5).
Data from Maryland Biodiversity Project. Includes historical records and may overrepresent the current range of the species.
In order to conserve the Harris' Checkerspot we need to preserve their natural habitat.
© 2020 Price Lab for Entomology, Courtney Rogall