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Anicia Checkerspot

Euphydryas anicia

The Anicia Checkerspot is a beautiful butterfly with bright orange and black patterns. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny meadows during warm months.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Anicia Checkerspot has an intricate checkerboard pattern across its wings, featuring prominent bands of orange and black, often contrasted with cream or yellow spots. This distinctive tessellation helps distinguish it from other butterflies, especially those with simpler patterns.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusOccidryas
Anicia Checkerspot
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Anicia Checkerspot

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each tiny wing scale gives the Anicia Checkerspot its amazing colors and unique patterns!

Some caterpillars take over a year to grow, safely overwintering under plants!

Their wings get color from tiny scales, not pigments, reflecting light like jewels!

They're called "checkerspot" because their wing pattern truly looks like a checkerboard!

Special abilities

Ability

Chemical Defense

Anicia Checkerspot caterpillars can store toxins from their host plants, making them distasteful to predators.

Ability

Winter Survival

Larvae can pause development, hibernating under plants or rocks to survive harsh winters.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-50 mm
Size
15-25 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on specific plants, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar.

Age differences: Yes, larvae consume host plant leaves, while adults feed on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Flower Nectar
  • Plantago leaves
  • Penstemon leaves
  • Castilleja leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

English Plantain

Plantago lanceolata

Larvae feed on leaves for growth.

eats

Small-flowered Penstemon

Penstemon procerus

Caterpillars consume leaves for energy.

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Butterflies are a food source for birds.

depends on

Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Adults visit flowers for vital nectar.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch butterflies; they are delicate and need to be safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anicia Checkerspot's wingspan?

35-50 mm

How big is Anicia Checkerspot?

15-25 mm

How long does Anicia Checkerspot live?

7-14 days

How fast can Anicia Checkerspot fly?

10 km/h

What does Anicia Checkerspot eat?

Caterpillars munch on specific plants, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar.

Where is Anicia Checkerspot usually found?

Grasslands

How does Anicia Checkerspot hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Anicia Checkerspot have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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