Bordered Patch
Chlosyne lacinia

Photo May 31, 2004 By Bill Lupardus

Description 1 5/8-1 7/8" (35-48 mm). FW black above with white or orange marginal dots, followed by row of white dots, median row of narrow to wide white or orange patches, and occasionally whitish or orange spots at base. HW above similar but middle row usually forms a broad yellow and orange band or patch. Below, FW similar to upperside; HW black with yellowish basal, median, and marginal bands and red band or spot near corner beyond middle yellowish band.

Similar Species California Patch has orange FW cell below, brighter orange border spots. Janais Patch has red, not orange, patch in HW disk.

Life Cycle Eggs light green; laid in clusters on many plants of the composite family, especially sunflower (Helianthus annuus), giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), and cowpen daisy (Verbesina encelioides). Young caterpillars feed together, but disperse when overwintering half grown. Older caterpillar black, or orange and black striped, or orange. Chrysalis variable, white with black dots and streaks or nearly solid black.

Flight Several broods; usually March-November.

Habitat Subtropical thorn forests, desert hills, weedy edges of agricultural fields, river bottomlands, pinyon pine and oak woodlands, parks and gardens.

Range SE. California east to Texas and south to Argentina, rarely emigrating north to Utah and Nebraska.

Discussion The Bordered Patch has been called our most variable butterfly, as well as the most widespread and abundant checkerspot in the Americas. The enormous range of variation in the appearance of early stages and adults makes this species a good subject for genetic research. This is enhanced by its large broods of up to 500 eggs per female and brief generation time of as little as 30 days.