Quino checkerspot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quino checkerspot |
|
|---|---|
_cropped.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Euphydryas |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
E. e. quino
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Euphydryas editha quino Behr et al., 1863
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
See text |
|
The Quino checkerspot (Euphydryas editha quino) is a beautiful butterfly. It lives in southern California and northwestern Baja California in Mexico. This butterfly is a special type, or subspecies, of the common Edith's checkerspot butterfly. It is also the second butterfly subspecies to be listed as endangered under a law called the federal Endangered Species Act. This means it needs special protection to survive.
Contents
How Scientists Name Animals
Like many animals, the Quino checkerspot butterfly's name has changed over time. In 1863, it was first called Melitaea quino. Later, in 1929, scientists decided it was a subspecies of Euphydryas chalcedona.
However, in 1998, after looking at older descriptions, experts agreed it should be part of E. editha. This is the same group as the Edith's checkerspot. Another similar butterfly, E. editha wrighti, was then seen as the same as E. editha quino.
Meet the Quino Checkerspot
What It Looks Like
The Quino checkerspot is a medium-sized butterfly. It belongs to the brush-footed butterfly family, called Nymphalidae. Its wingspan is about 3 centimeters, which is roughly the length of a paperclip.
Its top wings are a mix of brown, red, and yellow spots, like a colorful checkerboard. The Quino butterfly has darker red spots compared to other types of E. editha. You can also tell it apart by its size and how its young look.
The underside of its wings has a checkered pattern of red and cream colors. Its body has red stripes on the top. After its second molt (shedding its skin), the Quino checkerspot caterpillar is dark black. It has 8 or 9 orange bumps on its back. Before their first molt, the young caterpillars are mostly yellowish. After the first molt, they become gray with black marks. The pupae (the stage before becoming a butterfly) are black and blue-gray.
It can be tricky to tell the Quino checkerspot apart from other butterflies. People often confuse it with three other butterflies that live in the same areas. These are the Chalcedon or variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona), Gabb's checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbii), and Wright's checkerspot (Thessalia leonira wrighti).
Life cycle
The Quino checkerspot's life cycle is very similar to the Bay checkerspot butterfly. They use the same plants for food and grow through their stages at similar times. Sometimes, these butterflies molt up to seven times before they become adults.
Usually, there is only one group of adult butterflies each year. They fly around from February through May.
Where It Lives
A big reason for the Quino checkerspot's decline is city growth. Many of the shrub lands where it used to live have been built over. This is similar to what happened to the endangered Mission blue butterfly.
The places where the Quino checkerspot still lives face other dangers. Plants that are not native to the area (called invasive species) can take over. Also, too much grazing by animals can harm their habitat. Today, scientists know of only eight groups of Quino checkerspot butterflies left.
Where It Used to Live and Where It Is Now
The places where the Quino checkerspot lives have shrunk a lot in the last 100 years. Its population has likely dropped by about 75%. Most of this loss is due to farms and cities growing in southern California. Other problems include non-native grasses and ways people stop fires, as well as grazing.
The Quino checkerspot became the second type of Euphydryas editha to be listed as endangered. The first was the Bay checkerspot butterfly.
Now, you can only find the Quino checkerspot in a few spots. These include western Riverside County, southern San Diego County, and northern Baja California, Mexico. In the past, this butterfly lived in much of coastal California, south of Ventura County. It also lived in inland valleys south of the Tehachapi Mountains.
More than 75% of the butterfly's original home has been lost. This loss of habitat directly means fewer butterflies. Quino checkerspot butterfly populations have dropped by over 95% across their entire range.
How Border Walls Can Affect Butterflies
When American President Donald Trump suggested building more walls along the border between Mexico and the US, it raised concerns. These new walls could harm many animals, including the Quino checkerspot butterfly.
Since this butterfly's habitat is already small and threatened, a wall could separate the butterflies in Mexico from those in the US. This separation would reduce their genetic diversity. Genetic diversity means having a variety of genes, which helps a species stay healthy and adapt. If populations are separated, they can't mix their genes as easily.
Also, building the wall could damage the native vegetation (plants) that the butterflies need to survive. It might also help invasive species spread in areas disturbed by the construction.
