Description
The Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) is a medium-sized butterfly with orange and black patterned wings and distinctive silvery spots on the undersides of the hindwings, commonly found in open woodlands, meadows, and along streams across eastern and central North America.
Range
It is found throughout the state but is more common in the east.
Similar Species
Harris’s has extensive orange on the hindwing below, and much more open orange above. Gorgone has the arrowhead or chevrons on the hindwings. Silvery often has larger white within the spots on the hindwing above.
Host Plants
main larval host plants:
Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), Sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Flight
Overwinters in chrysalis, and can emerge as early as late May and can fly late-July