The Baltimore Checkerspot is a popular butterfly that was named the Maryland state insect in 1973. The Baltimore was named for the first Lord Baltimore, whose coat of arms matched the colors on this butterfly. The Baltimore is black, with an orange rim of spots on its outer wing, and rows of white spots on the inner wing.

 

“Baltimore Checkerspot” by Joshua Mayer, licensed under (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

Baltimore Checkerspot Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Nymphalinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/4 – 2 3/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Wet meadows, bogs, and marshes in the northeast part of the range; dry open or wooded hillsides in the southwest

 

Baltimore Checkerspot Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Turtlehead (Chelon glabra)
• Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus)
• English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
• False Foxglove (Aureolaria)

Nectar Plants:

• Milkweeds
• Viburnum
• Wild Rose