description Edith's Checkerspot Overview
Euphydryas editha (Edith's checkerspot) is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia to Baja California. It is a well-studied model organism in population and metapopulation biology, primarily through long-term field research initiated by Paul Ehrlich at Stanford University beginning in the 1960s. The species has multiple subspecies with geographically variable wing patterns, and its larval host plants include species in the families Plantaginaceae and Orobanchaceae.
help Edith's Checkerspot FAQ
Where does the Edith's checkerspot butterfly live?
The Edith's checkerspot is a butterfly native to western North America. Its natural range extends from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to Baja California in Mexico.
Why is the Edith's checkerspot important to biologists?
It is a widely studied model organism in the fields of population and metapopulation biology. Decades of long-term field research have provided scientists with vital data on how insect populations survive in isolated habitat patches.
What do Edith's checkerspot caterpillars eat?
The caterpillars primarily feed on various plants in the Scrophulariaceae family, particularly Indian paintbrush and plantain. The females specifically lay their eggs on these host plants to ensure the larvae have an immediate food source.
Has climate change affected the Edith's checkerspot?
Yes, researchers have observed that climate change has severely impacted their populations, causing them to shift their range further north. Certain local populations in Mexico and Southern California have gone extinct due to increasing habitat temperatures.
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