Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Silvery Checkerspot is similar to the crescents, but larger and with white-filled ("silvery") black-edged spots near the trailing margin of the hindwing (both above and below).

Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Durham Co., NC 8/23/09.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

This one is quite unusual, lacking the any white inside the dark spots.

Durham Co., NC 8/23/09.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

The underside has a complex pattern featuring a row of black spots with some "silvery" insides. Compare with Pearl Crescent.

Same individual as just above.

Durham Co., NC 8/23/09.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Durham Co., NC 8/23/09.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Courting pair (male is at left, female right).

Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Female, Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Another one lacking the white-filled spots.

Durham Co., NC 8/20/06.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Clay Co., NC 5/20/07.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillar

Caterpillars are nearly black, with branched spines, a dusting of white spots, and may have an orange stripe along the side.

Durham Co., NC 7/4/03.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillar

Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillar

Orange Co., NC 5/3/08.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillar

Durham Co., NC 8/18/08.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Male, Durham Co., NC 8/17/02.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Silvery Checkerspots are variable - note the gradation here from lots of black/little "silvery" to more spotted individuals.

Durham Co., NC 8/17/03.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Silvery Checkerspots are named for the black-lined white spots along the trailing edge of the hindwing. Note that this individual is missing the black connector in the middle of the forewing.

Male, Carroll Co., VA 5/25/03.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Somewhat similar to Pearl Crescent, which is a little smaller and lacks the white dots.

Male, Granville Co., NC 4/28/02.

puddle party

A puddle party featuring 20 Sleepy Oranges, 2 Cloudless Sulphurs, 2 Silvery Checkerspots, and 6 Common Checkered-Skippers.

Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.