# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Anicia Checkerspot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/AniciaCheckerspot_%284862347984%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: dfaulder, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AniciaCheckerspot_%284862347984%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Occidryas ## 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 - **Chemical Defense:** Anicia Checkerspot caterpillars can store toxins from their host plants, making them distasteful to predators. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Butterflies are a food source for birds. - **Depends on:** Common Yarrow (*Achillea millefolium*) — Adults visit flowers for vital nectar. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch butterflies; they are delicate and need to be safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Anicia Checkerspot? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Pasayten Wilderness](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pasayten-wilderness) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Johnson Lake Mine Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/johnson-lake-mine-historic-district) — Nevada, US · Historic District - [Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-alleyne-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Crowsnest Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crowsnest-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Cedar Breaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-breaks-national-monument) — Utah, US · National Park [View all places to see Anicia Checkerspot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/anicia-checkerspot) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Anicia Checkerspot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anicia-checkerspot)