The Quino Checkerspot

The Quino Checkerspot is a very rare butterfly. It is listed under the United States Endangered Species Act. It occurs in a very few places in Southern California and Mexico. It is very much threatened by development and by global warming which is disrupting its life cycle..

This is a picture of the underside of the Quino Checkerspot. Click on it to see a bigger version.

The Quino Checkerspot lays its eggs on a kind of Plantain which dries up quickly in the heat. The caterpillars must grow quickly before it is destroyed. They also sometimes use Castilleja plants.

This is picture of the upper side of the Quino Checkerspot Click on it to to see a bigger version

One of the major problems in conserving this butterfly is that it is exists in groups of colonies which periodically die out to be recolonised from neighbouring sites. In this system many of the sites it needs may not actually be occupied at any given time but are vital for its long term survival.

For those interested in the science of Checkerspot ecology more details can be found at the Checkerspot Resources web site

This is a picture of the habitat of the Quino Checkerspot. Click on it to see a bigger version.