# Northern Checkerspot (*Chlosyne palla*) The Northern Checkerspot is a colorful butterfly with bright orange and black patterns. It flutters around fields and meadows, bringing joy to anyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Northern Checkerspot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_Checkerspot_Butterfly.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ingrid Taylar, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Checkerspot_Butterfly.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Checkerspot is a medium-sized butterfly with an intricate pattern of orange, black, and white squares across its wings. Its hindwings often feature a prominent band of bright orange spots against a dark background, making it distinct from similar checkerspot species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Chlosyne ## Interesting facts - Female Northern Checkerspots lay all their tiny eggs together in a big cluster on one leaf! - Its caterpillars change colors as they grow, starting dark and becoming striped! - They can tell if a plant is safe to eat just by tasting it with their special sensory feet! - This butterfly sips sweet flower nectar using a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis. ## Special abilities - **Pattern Camouflage:** Northern Checkerspot has a detailed checkered pattern that helps them blend into their flowery habitats, making them harder for predators to spot. - **Host Plant Palate:** Northern Checkerspot larvae can only eat certain plants because of their specialized digestive systems, which helps them avoid toxic plants. - **Darting Flight:** Northern Checkerspot can dart quickly and erratically through the air, allowing them to escape from birds and other hungry predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-55 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-25 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on specific plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars consume plant leaves, while adults primarily drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, Penstemon, Aster, Castilleja - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Rocky Mountain Beardtongue](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rocky-mountain-beardtongue) (*Penstemon strictus*) — Larvae feed on its leaves for growth. - **Eaten by:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — A common bird predator in its range. - **Eats:** [Giant Red Paintbrush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/giant-red-paintbrush) (*Castilleja miniata*) — Another primary host plant for its caterpillars. ## 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, as they are delicate and can be easily hurt. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern 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 Northern Checkerspot's wingspan? 35-55 mm ### How big is Northern Checkerspot? 15-25 mm ### How long does Northern Checkerspot live? 10-25 days ### How fast can Northern Checkerspot fly? 10 km/h ### What does Northern Checkerspot eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on specific plant leaves. ### Where is Northern Checkerspot usually found? Grasslands ### How does Northern Checkerspot hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [James Cant Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/james-cant-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-alleyne-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Darke Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/darke-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Northern Checkerspot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-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: [Northern Checkerspot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-checkerspot)