Where’s Wildlife · Butterfly Field Guide
Euphydryas phaeton
Cream spots and orange borders create a mosaic across this striking butterfly’s dark wings.
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BUTTERFLY FIELD NOTES
Look for rows of creamy spots inside orange-red crescents along the wing edges. The gallery also shows the dark, spiny caterpillars with orange markings. [1]
Compare the field photographs below. Select any image to browse the full gallery.
Eggs are laid in groups beneath host leaves. Young caterpillars feed together inside a silk web, then overwinter in rolled leaves on the ground. After winter, they may feed on a wider range of plants. [1]
White Turtlehead is a key host, but host use varies by population and caterpillar age. A plant used by an older caterpillar is not necessarily where females lay their eggs. [1]
Explore reported Baltimore Checkerspot sightings. Observation records show where people have documented this species and are not a complete range map.
[1] Butterflies and Moths of North America — Baltimore Checkerspot
Identification, habitat, host plants, and overwintering life history.