Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507
Chlosyne cyneas
This record describes Chlosyne cyneas (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: upperside dark brown with brownish-red marginal spots and two neat rows of white spots; underside white, cream, or yellow with black veins and margin; postmedian black band contains a row of light spots; marghinal fringe checkered black and white. [description copied from butterfliesandmoths.org] rare in United States
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Nymphalinae
- Tribe
- Melitaeini
- Genus
- Chlosyne (Patches, Checkerspots)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mountain meadows and openings in pine and oak woodlands
Geographic Range
southern Arizona and New Mexico, south through Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to September in United States
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on desert foxglove ( Brachystigma ), Santa Catalina Indian Paintbrush ( Castilleja tenuiflora ), and blacksenna ( Seymeria ) adults feed on flower nectar
Life History
several generations per year; eggs are laid in groups on underside of hostplant leaves; larvae feed on leaves and flowers; young larvae live together in loose web; overwinters as a third-instar larva
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chlosyne cyneas. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507
What is Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507?
Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507 (Chlosyne cyneas) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507?
wingspan 35-42 mm
How do you identify Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507?
Adult: upperside dark brown with brownish-red marginal spots and two neat rows of white spots; underside white, cream, or yellow with black veins and margin; postmedian black band contains a row of light spots; marghinal fringe checkered black and white. [description copied from butterfliesandmoths.org]
Where is Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mountain meadows and openings in pine and oak woodlands |
| Range | southern Arizona and New Mexico, south through Mexico |
What does Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507 eat?
The diet of the Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507 includes larvae feed on desert foxglove ( Brachystigma ), Santa Catalina Indian Paintbrush ( Castilleja tenuiflora ), and blacksenna ( Seymeria ) adults feed on flower nectar.
When is Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507 active?
Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to September in United States.
What is the life cycle of a Black Checkerspot - Hodges#4507?
several generations per year; eggs are laid in groups on underside of hostplant leaves; larvae feed on leaves and flowers; young larvae live together in loose web; overwinters as a third-instar larva