The Silvery Checkerspot is a medium to small-sized butterfly in the black-and-orange family of checkerspots. When viewed from above (dorsal side), the forewings show a soft yellowish-orange background adorned with bold black spots and borders. The hindwings are similarly marked but typically feature a checkered fringe along the edges. When the wings are closed (ventral view), the undersides reveal a paler version of the same pattern, with light orange and cream tones bordered by brown lines and subtle silver spots near the hindwings, giving the species its common name.

 

“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

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where Silvery Checkerspot females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Bear’s Foot (Smallanthus uvedalius)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)

• Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)

• Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Silvery Checkerspot butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)