Arachne Checkerspot
Poladryas arachne (W.H. Edwards, 1869)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is bright orange-brown. Underside is orange; hindwing outer margin has two rows of white spots divided by a thin black line.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: Males perch on low plants in ridgetop openings during the morning hours; in the afternoons they patrol around flowers. Females lay eggs in batches on the underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and feed together in groups when they are young. Hibernation is by the third-stage caterpillars.
Flight: Several broods from May-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various species of beardstongue (Penstemon) in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Desert grasslands, open mountain meadows and fields.
Range: Western Nebraska; southeast Wyoming; eastern Nevada south through the Rocky Mountains to Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and southern Mexico. Isolated population in the southern Sierra Nevada of California.
Conservation: Not usually of concern.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 81 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 25, 2019
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Las Animas County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 23, 2019
Observation date: Jul 11, 2019
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 31, 2019
Observation date: Jun 12, 2019
Submitted by: MaryAnn Friedman
Region: Douglas County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 24, 2019
Observation date: Jul 02, 2018
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 07, 2019
Observation date: Aug 02, 2018
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Greenlee County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 12, 2018
Observation date: Jul 20, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 10, 2018
Observation date: Aug 19, 2018
Submitted by: JulieLuetzelschwab
Region: San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 23, 2018
Observation date: Jul 26, 2018
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 07, 2018
Observation date: Jun 20, 2013
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 29, 2018
Observation date: Aug 12, 2017
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Dec 26, 2017
Observation date: May 27, 2012
Submitted by: carlakish
Region: Gila County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 24, 2015
Observation date: Jun 17, 2011
Submitted by: carlakish
Region: Gila County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 24, 2015
Observation date: Jun 06, 2014
Submitted by: davidtvrdy
Region: Wasatch County, Utah, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Jun 23, 2014
Observation date: May 23, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nick Block)
Region: Mohave County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Apr 14, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ray & Kit Stanford)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: May 08, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paul Thompson)
Region: White Pine County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 23, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Clifford D. Ferris)
Region: Graham County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: May 08, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Steve Summerfeld)
Region: Mohave County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 07, 1997
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (C. Bordelon & E. Knudson)
Region: Graham County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Aug 01, 2012
Submitted by: lefevers
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 17, 2012
Observation date: Jun 25, 2012
Submitted by: BlueSkyButterflies
Region: Gilpin County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 21, 2012
Observation date: Jun 01, 2012
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 21, 2012
Observation date: May 28, 1979
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Nye County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 22, 1977
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
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