Quino Checkerspot
Encyclopedia
The Quino Checkerspot is native to California
and Mexico
. It is a subspecies
of the common Edith's Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha) and the second such subspecies to be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act
. This species, like many others, has undergone several changes in nomenclature and classification. It was originally described as Melitaea quino in 1863 and then in 1929 it was reduced to a subspecies of Euphydryas chalcedona. In 1998 it was concluded through Behr's 1863 description that it should be classified as E. editha, not E. chalcedona. The species was synonymous with E. editha wrighti, a junior synonym
for E. e. quino, thus becoming scientifically accepted as E. editha quino.
, the Quino Checkerspot is a medium sized butterfly
with a wingspan of around 3 cm. The dorsal wing surface are a colorful checkerboard of brown, red and yellow spots. The Quino differs from other E. editha subspecies in that its spots tend to be a darker red.
It also differentiates itself through its size and larva
l and pupa
l phenotype
s. The ventral side of the butterfly are dominated by a checkered red and cream pattern. Its abdomen
has red stripes across the dorsal
side. After a second molt
, the Quino Checkerspot is recognized by the dark black coloration and row of 8 to 9 orange tubercles on their back. Before the larva
e first molt they are mostly a yellowish color. After first molt and before their second molt they are gray with black markings. The pupae are mottled black on a bluegray background.
The Quino Checkerspot is easily confused in the field by inexperienced butterfly searchers. It is generally confused with three other co-occurring butterfly species, the chalcedon or variable checkerspot, (Euphydryas chalcedona), Gabb's checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbi) and Wright's checkerspot (Thessalia leonira wrighti).
. They share the same host plant and similar chronology of developmental stages.
, also endangered, has been built over. The persisting habitat
faces other threats. Invasive species
, in the form of non native plant life and over grazing are just two of the hurdles facing the recovery of the Quino Checkerspot. Today, there are 8 populations of the Quino known.
. The Quino Checkerspot became the second subspecies of Euphydryas editha to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The first was the Bay Checkerspot
.
Currently, the Quino Checkerspot is only found in a very few locales. Western Riverside County
, southern San Diego County and northern Baja California
, Mexico. The animal's historic range once included much of coastal California south of Ventura County
as well as the inland valleys south of the Tehachapi Mountains
. Regardless, more than 75% of the butterfly's original range has been lost. The range loss translates directly into population decline. Quino Checkerspot butterfly populations appear to have decreased by more than 95% range-wide.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It is a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the common Edith's Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha) and the second such subspecies to be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
. This species, like many others, has undergone several changes in nomenclature and classification. It was originally described as Melitaea quino in 1863 and then in 1929 it was reduced to a subspecies of Euphydryas chalcedona. In 1998 it was concluded through Behr's 1863 description that it should be classified as E. editha, not E. chalcedona. The species was synonymous with E. editha wrighti, a junior synonym
Synonym
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek syn and onoma . The words car and automobile are synonyms...
for E. e. quino, thus becoming scientifically accepted as E. editha quino.
Appearance
A member of the brush-foot butterfly family, NymphalidaeNymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
, the Quino Checkerspot is a medium sized butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
with a wingspan of around 3 cm. The dorsal wing surface are a colorful checkerboard of brown, red and yellow spots. The Quino differs from other E. editha subspecies in that its spots tend to be a darker red.
It also differentiates itself through its size and larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
l and pupa
Pupa
A pupa is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. The pupal stage is found only in holometabolous insects, those that undergo a complete metamorphosis, going through four life stages; embryo, larva, pupa and imago...
l phenotype
Phenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
s. The ventral side of the butterfly are dominated by a checkered red and cream pattern. Its abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
has red stripes across the dorsal
Dorsum (biology)
In anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly, or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow...
side. After a second molt
Ecdysis
Ecdysis is the moulting of the cuticula in many invertebrates. This process of moulting is the defining feature of the clade Ecdysozoa, comprising the arthropods, nematodes, velvet worms, horsehair worms, rotifers, tardigrades and Cephalorhyncha...
, the Quino Checkerspot is recognized by the dark black coloration and row of 8 to 9 orange tubercles on their back. Before the larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e first molt they are mostly a yellowish color. After first molt and before their second molt they are gray with black markings. The pupae are mottled black on a bluegray background.
The Quino Checkerspot is easily confused in the field by inexperienced butterfly searchers. It is generally confused with three other co-occurring butterfly species, the chalcedon or variable checkerspot, (Euphydryas chalcedona), Gabb's checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbi) and Wright's checkerspot (Thessalia leonira wrighti).
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Quino Checkerspot closely mirrors that of the close Bay CheckerspotBay Checkerspot
--173.79.54.79 21:10, 1 December 2011 The Bay Checkerspot is a threatened insect subspecies which is native to the U.S. State of . Since the 23911s the population of checkerspots has been in serious decline...
. They share the same host plant and similar chronology of developmental stages.
Habitat
The obvious factor in the decline of the Quino Checkerspot is urban development. Much of the historic scrub land that it occupied, much like the Mission Blue butterflyMission blue butterfly
The Mission Blue is a blue or lycaenid butterfly subspecies native to the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States. The butterfly has been declared as endangered by the US Federal Government. It is a subspecies of Boisduval's Blue .- Description :The endangered Mission Blue has a wingspan of...
, also endangered, has been built over. The persisting habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
faces other threats. Invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
, in the form of non native plant life and over grazing are just two of the hurdles facing the recovery of the Quino Checkerspot. Today, there are 8 populations of the Quino known.
Range
Habitat declined and, thus, distribution and population of the Quino Checkerspot has been greatly reduced during the last 100 years. Nearly all of the blame lie in agricultural and urban development in southern California. The other impactors to the decline include non native grasses and fire suppression practices as well as grazingGrazing
Grazing generally describes a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants , and also on other multicellular autotrophs...
. The Quino Checkerspot became the second subspecies of Euphydryas editha to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The first was the Bay Checkerspot
Bay Checkerspot
--173.79.54.79 21:10, 1 December 2011 The Bay Checkerspot is a threatened insect subspecies which is native to the U.S. State of . Since the 23911s the population of checkerspots has been in serious decline...
.
Currently, the Quino Checkerspot is only found in a very few locales. Western Riverside County
Riverside County, California
Riverside County is a county in the U.S. state of California. One of 58 California counties, it covers in the southern part of the state, and stretches from Orange County to the Colorado River, which forms the state border with Arizona. The county derives its name from the city of Riverside,...
, southern San Diego County and northern Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, Mexico. The animal's historic range once included much of coastal California south of Ventura County
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
as well as the inland valleys south of the Tehachapi Mountains
Tehachapi Mountains
The Tehachapi Mountains , regionally also called The Tehachapis, are a mountain range in the Transverse Ranges system of California in the Western United States...
. Regardless, more than 75% of the butterfly's original range has been lost. The range loss translates directly into population decline. Quino Checkerspot butterfly populations appear to have decreased by more than 95% range-wide.