The Silvery Checkerspot is a species of average to small black-and-orange butterflies When the forewings are open (dorsal view), they exhibit a faint yellowish-orange color with unusual markings and borders in black, while, when they are closed (ventral view), a similar kind of design is displayed, somewhat like a relatively pale mirror-image of the other side.

 

“Silvery Checkerspot” by Mike Ostrowski, licensed under (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

Silvery Checkerspot Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Nymphalinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Moist, somewhat open places including streamsides, meadows, and forest openings

 

Silvery Checkerspot Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Sunflowers
• Wingstem

Nectar Plants:

• Red Clovers
• Common Milkweed
• Dogbane