Variable Checkerspot
(Euphydryas anicia)
True Brushfoots
Appearance: Above, essentially black with red, orange and/or white spots; eyes brown, usually with luminous antenna clubs. Abdomen usually with white dots. Below, the hindwing has 3 bands of cream or white separated by orange bands.
Wingspan: Small; 1 1/4 to 2 1/4 inches.
Habitat: Many open habitats from stream courses to sagebrush hills, canyons and alpine tundra; foothills, montane, alpine.
Flight Times: May to July; one brood.
Larval Foodplant: Indian paintbrush, penstemons and snowberry.
Did You Know…
This species is extremely variable (thus the name) both geographically and within populations. Males hilltop.
