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Harris' Checkerspot

Scientific Name

(Chlosyne harrisii)

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).

Identification

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).

Life Cycle

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).

Habitat

In Maryland, the Harris' Checkerspot prefers bogs, damp meadows, and emergent wetlands (4, 5).