Gabb's checkerspot

Chlosyne gabbii gabbii

Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae

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Characteristics: Extensive white checkering on ventral wing. Dorsal wing surfaces (particularly in the female) resemble those of Euphydryas editha somewhat, but editha is black with red; gabbii is primarily orange or yellow-orange with black. Forewing length: 17-21 mm.

Habitats, Behavior: Gabb's Checkerspot is often associated with moist areas. Adults frequently alight on dirt paths, only to fly away swiftly when the lepidopterist approaches.

Distribution: Picked up here and there in the lower canyons of the Santa Ana Mountains. The species is probably more common in the coastal hills, e.g. the Lagunas and San Joaquin Hills. One old record from Olinda and several records from the Villa Park foothills and vicinity also exist, showing the existence of inland colonies. (Note from PB: Abundant at 33.593668, -117.424866 on Sitton Peak trail, S.E. Riverside County 5/27/06).  

Flight Period: There is usually one brood, flying from March to June. Comstock (1927) reports an occasional small abortive second brood in the summer which may account for our one July record. Most captures are in April.

Larval Foodplant: Corethrogyne filaginifolia is often utilized. In Orange County, this plant (variety brevicula) is found occasionally in open places in the chaparral plant community in the Santa Ana Mountains. The butterfly probably has other criteria for colony location other than foodplant, since Corethrogyne is reported from Santiago Peak, elevation 5687 feet (Boughey, 1968) where gabbii does not occur. Other foodplants recorded for gabbii (Emmel and Emmel, 1973) and of Orange County occurrence are: Haplopappus squarrosus (locally frequent in Orange County chaparral) and Heterotheca grandiflora (occasionally found in disturbed areas throughout the county--Boughey, 1968).

From Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Orange County, California. Center for Pathobiology Miscellaneous Publication #3. University of California Press, New York. 349pp.

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