# White Checkered-Skipper (*Burnsius albezens*) The White Checkered-Skipper is a small butterfly with beautiful white wings that have black checkered patterns. They flutter around gardens and fields, bringing joy to everyone who sees them. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![White Checkered-Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Burnsius_albezens_-_Bailey_Duncan_-_520017725.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Bailey Duncan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Burnsius_albezens_-_Bailey_Duncan_-_520017725.jpeg) ## Appearance The White Checkered-Skipper has striking white and dark checkered wings, with a stout, furry body that gives it a moth-like appearance. Its antennae feature distinct hooks at the tips, helping to identify this small, fast-flying insect. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Burnsius ## Interesting facts - Skipper caterpillars build cozy little 'leaf tents' to hide inside! - These speedy insects are a mix of butterfly and moth traits! - They use their long, straw-like tongues to sip sweet flower nectar! - White Checkered-Skippers often bask in the sun to warm up their flying muscles! ## Special abilities - **Turbo Flight:** White Checkered-Skipper can zoom away with incredibly fast, erratic flight because of its powerful wing muscles that help them escape predators. - **Nature's Camouflage:** White Checkered-Skipper has a checkered wing pattern that helps them blend perfectly with sun-dappled flowers and foliage, making them hard to spot. - **Nectar Sensor Feet:** White Checkered-Skipper can taste flowers with special sensors on its feet because this helps them find the sweetest nectar to drink. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch mallow leaves, while adults sip sweet nectar from various flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, but adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Mallow leaves, Poppy Mallow, Thistle nectar, Aster nectar, Coneflower nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Common Mallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-mallow) (*Malva neglecta*) — Larvae feed on its leaves - **Eaten by:** Globe Mallow (*Sphaeralcea ambigua*) — Caterpillars chew on leaves - **Pollinates:** [New England Aster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/new-england-aster) (*Symphyotrichum novae-angliae*) — Adults visit for nectar - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — A common avian predator ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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 watch butterflies from a distance to keep them safe and happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White Checkered-Skipper? 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 White Checkered-Skipper's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is White Checkered-Skipper? 12-18 mm ### How long does White Checkered-Skipper live? 10-20 days ### How fast can White Checkered-Skipper fly? 20 km/h ### What does White Checkered-Skipper eat? Caterpillars munch mallow leaves, while adults sip sweet nectar from various flowers. ### Where is White Checkered-Skipper usually found? Grasslands ### How does White Checkered-Skipper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [South Coast Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-coast-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Pee Dee River Rice Planters Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pee-dee-river-rice-planters-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Tohono Chul](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tohono-chul) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort Matanzas National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-matanzas-national-monument) — Florida, US · National Park [View all places to see White Checkered-Skipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-checkered-skipper) ## 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: [White Checkered-Skipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-checkered-skipper)