Wildflower Archive
Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
CC0 · iNaturalist

Pollinator

Baltimore checkerspot

Euphydryas phaeton

A boldly checkered wetland specialty, the state insect of Maryland.

Family
Nymphalidae (brush-footed)
Wingspan
1.75 to 2.75 in (4.5 to 7 cm)
Flight season
Early summer (one brood)
Range
Eastern North America; local
Caterpillar food
White turtlehead, then plantain and false foxglove
Conservation
Secure but local

Boldly checkered in black, orange, and cream, the Baltimore checkerspot is one of the most striking butterflies of eastern wetlands, and the official insect of Maryland.

It flies in a single early-summer brood, staying close to the wet meadows and fens where its host grows.

Baltimore checkerspot caterpillar
The orange-and-black caterpillar feeds on turtlehead in wet meadows. Jake McCumber · CC BY (iNaturalist)

Caterpillars feed on white turtlehead, later moving to plants like plantain and false foxglove, so a stand of native turtlehead is the key to hosting this local specialty.

Plants for the baltimore checkerspot

16 caterpillar host plants and 0 documented nectar plants. Pick a role, then narrow with the filters below.

16 plants

Host
Foxglove beardtongue1 of 2
 Foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis Host
White turtlehead1 of 2
 White turtlehead Chelone glabra Host
Hairy beardtongue1 of 2
 Hairy beardtongue Penstemon hirsutus Host
Parry's beardtongue1 of 3
 Parry's beardtongue Penstemon parryi Host
Pink turtlehead1 of 2
 Pink turtlehead Chelone lyonii Host
Cobaea beardtongue1 of 2
 Cobaea beardtongue Penstemon cobaea Host
Bunchleaf Penstemon1 of 2
 Bunchleaf Penstemon Penstemon heterophyllus Host
Showy Penstemon1 of 2
 Showy Penstemon Penstemon spectabilis Host
Scarlet bugler1 of 3
 Scarlet bugler Penstemon centranthifolius Host
Broadbeard Beardtongue1 of 2
 Broadbeard Beardtongue Penstemon angustifolius Host
Cliff Beardtongue1 of 2
 Cliff Beardtongue Penstemon rupicola Host
Small's Penstemon1 of 2
 Small's Penstemon Penstemon smallii Host
Lilac Penstemon1 of 2
 Lilac Penstemon Penstemon gracilis Host
Azure Penstemon1 of 2
 Azure Penstemon Penstemon azureus Host
Beardlip Penstemon1 of 2
 Beardlip Penstemon Penstemon barbatus Host
Wasatch Beardtongue1 of 3
 Wasatch Beardtongue Penstemon cyananthus

Sources