Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona), San Gabriel Mountains, CaliforniaFinally, the sun was out on my day off! And, butterflies were everywhere getting nectar from one of their favorite California plants: buckwheat.The caterpillar of these butterflies can hibernate for several years in drought conditions (useful for surviving in their habitat--the dry California chaparral). They're about 1.5-2 inches.
The Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona) is noted for the variablility in coloration of it's larvae and adult forms. It also has the name Chalcedon Checkerspot.Observed in the Coast range mountains of San Luis Obispo county, California.