Monday, April 15, 2013

Chalcedon Checkerspot-- Euphydryas chalcedona


I took this pic at the UC Botanical Garden on Thursday, 11 April, 2013. It was in the African Area right next to the Arid House. Looks like a Chalcedon Checkerspot to me. It is quite variable and therefore difficult to identify. 

This species is odd in that the third and fourth instars hibernate, sometimes for years. The caterpillars eat a wide range of plants, which is also unusual. They include plants in the for-get-me-not, rose, monkey flower and honeysuckle families.

This species occurs in many western states at many elevations.

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