Checkerspot Butterfly

by Lyle Tayson

Title

Checkerspot Butterfly

Artist

Lyle Tayson

Medium

Painting - Mixed Media On Cold Press Illustration Board

Description

The family to which the Checkerspot belongs, genus Euphydryas, is found throughout the northern hemisphere, with eight species in Europe and six species in North America. There are no known tropical species. This Checkerspot is also known as the Baltimore because it carries the orange and black colors of Cecilius Calvert, Second Baron Baltimore, who is more universally known as Lord Baltimore. He was granted the colony of Maryland by King James I of England. This colony became the State of Maryland which still carries the orange and black of Lord Baltimore on its insignia. This type butterfly is widespread but individuals remain in one particular area, usually a wet meadow where its food plant, the turtle head, grows. The young larvae gather on the same plants, weaving a silken web around the tender young leaves of the turtle head. Here they remain and eat until autumn and hibernate through the winter. In spring the larvae separate and continue feeding until they become adults during May and June. The Checkerspot or Baltimore is an eastern butterfly and is found from southern Canada south to Georgia and Missouri. Scientists believe that butterflies' bright colors may dazzle predators and make it difficult to catch the butterfly. The bird or other predator probably sees some butterflies as bright flashes of light which vanish when the butterfly lights on a branch and folds its wings.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1977 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB05117

Uploaded

April 11th, 2022

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