July 11, 2026
A Silvery Checkerspot (Chlorine nycteisI) is a medium-small brush-footed butterfly with a wingspan of 1 3/8 to 2 inches. This one is sitting atop a Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) which is really flourishing right now, much to the delight of these little butterflies.
Host plants of these Silvery Checkerspots are sunflowers, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and Ragweeds. As adults they live for 10 to 14 days, with some lucky ones surviving for up to 3 weeks. During that time they will eat flower nectar, and visit damp soil and mud puddles to sip the water, which provides them with essential minerals. This is known as puddling, a behavior that many butterflies take part in.
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2 responses to “Silvery Checkerspot on Black-eyed Susan”
Great photo, Bren. Would be a fun painting or sketch.
Thanks bunches Leigh! You’re an artist too? I do an occasional painting or sketch, but realized years ago that I can express myself through art by clicking the shutter on my camera. Hardly any time taken and it’s done!
So very glad we have each other’s posts to read!
Bren