The Applegater

Applegater Fall 2020 13 Spotting the Chalcedona Checkerspot BY LINDA KAPPEN T h e C h a l c e d o n a C h e c k e r s p o t , Euphydryas chalcedona, arrives in the spring, giving way to thoughts of the chalcedony gemstone or the ancient Greek town of Chalcedon, which gave its name to the butterfly. It belongs to the butterfly family Nymphalidae. is checkerspot can measure up to 2 inches with open wings. e ventral view displays brightly colored red-orange and white. On the dorsal wing the coal- black background highlights milky white markings and a red border. Other species in the genus Euphydryas look similar. Males patrol and perch, searching for females. e female lays her eggs in small clusters on the stems or undersides of leaves of the host plant. Once hatched, the caterpillars will make a protective silk nest where they can safely feed on the plant. In the later stage they will hibernate in the forest litter or under rocks. ey have one brood which flies in the spring. Host plants for this butterfly are in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae), such as penstemon, monkeyflower, and paintbrushes. e adult butterflies nectar on many wildflowers and garden variety flowers. Males will find mud or places of moisture to take in nutrients. It is important to our beneficial insects to avoid using poisonous sprays around our lands and to find nurseries that grow their flowers through organic methods. We can see this butterfly in flight from April through June. is butterfly has a range in the west from Alaska to Mexico and east to the intermountain states. Habitats in this range can be canyons, mountains, alpine forests, open spots in forests, streams, roadsides, chaparral, and prairies. I n t h e s p r i n g o f 2 0 2 0 , K e l l i e H a l s t e d , t h e s e c o n d - a n d t h i r d - g r a d e t e a c h e r a t Ap p l e g a t e S c h o o l , f o u n d a c a t e r p i l l a r a t h e r h o m e . I i d e n t i f i e d i t a s a c h e c k e r s p o t caterpillar. At my request she safely d e l i v e r e d t h e c a t e r p i l l a r t o t h e s c h o o l . I b ro u g h t i t h o m e t o re a r a n d f i n d o u t w h i c h c h e c k e r s p o t i t w o u l d b e c o m e . The ventral view of a Chalcedona Checkerspot. The dorsal view of a Chalcedona Checkerspot. A Chalcedona Checkerspot chrysalis. A Chalcedona Checkerspot caterpillar. Photos: Linda Kappen. I t o o k a f e w p h o t o g r a p h s a n d g a v e t h e m c a p t i o n s , a n d s h e w a s able to share them with her students through distance learning during our COVID-19 closure. It was a fun project and gave me pleasure to provide a local nature adventure for the children. Linda Kappen is a southern Oregon naturalist specializing in lepidoptera. humbugkapps@hotmail.com Open 7days a week! Deli & Picnic Supplies Breakfast • Lunch •To-Go Orders Gas • ATM • Espresso Beer & Wine Applegate Store & Cafe 15095 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR 541-846-6659 13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR Stay at a real country farm on the Applegate River! Horsefeather Farms Ranchette Guesthouse Stayovers B&B www.horsefeather-farms-ranchette.com Bring the kids! Pet friendly! Call for information and reservations: 541-941-0000 From blossom to bottle we deliver a naturally gluten-free, dry cider made from 100% pear juice. Our Applegate Valley farm is solar powered and family run. Now at Provolt Store, Hidden Valley, and Grants Pass Growers Market. www.blossombarncidery.com @blossombarncidery

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