Quino Checkerspot Butterfly

Several other butterfly species have been changing habitat or diet to cope with a changing climate but the quino checkerspot is the first butterfly known to science to change both so rapidly. The quino checkerspot can be distinguished from other subspecies of e. Quino checkerspot butterfly qcb are found in open margins of scrub habitat where dominant plant species may include california sagebrush artemisia californica chamise adenostoma fasciculatum and non nativenative grasslandsthere must be larval host plant and suitable nectar sources nearby in order support this species.
quino checkerspot butterfly habitat quino checkerspot butterfly

Butterflies of north america.

Quino checkerspot butterfly. Interactive listing of mexican butterflies. The quino checkerspot butterfly was federally listed as an endangered species in 1997 in response to a petition and lawsuit by the center. 2014 quino checkerspot butterfly survey guidelines pdf 4079 kb links to butterfly identification websites. A small and beautiful member of the brushfoot family this butterfly is federally endangered and known to occur on the san diego nwr.

The quino checkerspot euphydryas editha quino is a butterfly native to southern california and northwestern baja californiait is a subspecies of the common ediths checkerspot euphydryas editha and the second such subspecies to be listed under the federal endangered species act. Though it was used to be one of the most frequently spotted butterflies in its habitat they have been facing a true diapause now and are quite uncommon. Butterflies and their larval food plants. The quino checkerspot euphydryas occidryas editha quino is a small member of the brush footed butterfly family nymphalidae.

Butterflies of san diego county. In response to another center lawsuit 171605 acres of critical habitat were designated for the butterfly in riverside and san diego counties in 2002. The quino checkerspot is a small to medium size butterfly and an endangered subspecies of the ediths checkerspot. It can look strikingly similar to gabbs checkerspots and chalcedon checkerspots.

It has about a 1 in 25 cm wingspan and is checkered with dark brown reddish and yellowish spots. It is one of 12 recognized subspecies of e. It selectively lays its eggs only on the california plantain plant and is very territorial during the breeding season. The quino checkerspot butterfly is a small 3cm wingspan weak flying butterfly recognized by its checkered pattern of black orange red and cream on the winds and red bands on its abdomen.

Quino was not included as a covered species in the multiple species conservation programs mscp county subarea plan south county plan because not enough was known about local quino populations at the time of plan adoption. Quino checkerspot butterfly quino is a federally endangered butterfly species native to southern california. However the designation included little more than half the area of the 301010 acres.