Tag Archives: Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

A Silvery Checkerspot

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July 21, 2026

A little bit bigger than the teeny Hairstreak butterflies that I mentioned in my past two posts, this Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) has a wingspan ranging from 1 3/8 to 2 inches. They are native to North America, and can be found in the eastern and central United States and further north into southern Canada.

The adults of this species live about 10 to 14 days, while a particularly hardy individual might be able to survive for 3 weeks. During their short life they consume the nectar from many flowers including, red clover, common milkweed, dogbane, and sunflowers such as this Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus).

The host plants of the Silvery Checkerspot are two species of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, and Rudbeckia fulgida), various Sunflowers (Helianthus species), Wingstem (Verbena alternifolia), and various Ragweeds (Ambrosia species).

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Dancing In The Sunlight

July 7, 2025

Dancing with glee in the dappled sunlight, a Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus). One of many in bloom up here right now. Native to central and eastern North America. An herbaceous perennial in the Aster (Asteraceae) family that can grow 5 to 7 feet tall. As you can see in my photo, it has sessile, opposite leaves.

This Sunflower attracts a wide variety of pollinators with its pollen and nectar, and is a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), Gorgon Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone), and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). And the seeds are enjoyed by many birds, small mammals, and even a few insects.

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