Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

Endangered Species

In 2001, the US Fish and Wildlife Service classified the Taylor's checkerspot as a candidate for the Endangered Species Act protection. This was reviewed and upheld in 2002. As a candidate, the species does not yet have federal protection as an endangered species. Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was petitioned for federal protection as an endangered species in 2002.

Once found throughout the coastal and inland grasslands of the Puget Sound, as of October 2002, there were only 4 confirmed populations. Adults emerge in the spring, during April and May, mate, and lay clusters of eggs, as many as 1,200. The larvae feed on wildflowers and enter diapause in mid-June to early July, hibernating in winter.

Feeding sources are figwort or snapdragons, and wild strawberry, as well as paintbrush and plantain. Particularly important to the larvae stage are Plantago lanceolata and Plantago marittima in coastal regions such as Bainbridge Island. Egg production depends on nectar sources and when plentiful, nectar can double the number of eggs laid. Viable habitats must include both plantains and nectar sources such as wild strawberry and spring gold. Camas, stonecrop, phacelia, and spring gold, are also important nectar sources.

Taylor checkerspot's existence is primarily threatened by loss of natural habitat caused by urbanization that destroys the butterfly's natural grassland life space. In addition to loss of suitable living conditions, the use of pesticides has contributed to its decline.