Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

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Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
E. phaeton on Argyranthemum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Nymphalidae Genus: Euphydryas Species: E. phaeton
Binomial name
Euphydryas phaeton (Drury, 1773)

The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, Euphydryas phaeton, is the official state insect of the U.S. State of Maryland, and has been since 1973.^[1].

During its period of growth, the Checkerspot Butterfly will search for a host plant for nourishment. The Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is the only plant that this butterfly will use to lay eggs on.^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ Maryland State Insect — Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly. Maryland State Archives (2004-06-17).
2. ^ Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, Maryland State Insect