Checkerspot-E. San Diego Co.

[wanda]

Dear Mark & Eric,

	The subject bug is quite likely the Wright's ssp. of Leanira
Checkerspot, Euphydryas leanira wrighti, found along desert edges.  

	The endangered Quino ssp. of Edith's Checkerspot, E. editha quino is a
synonym for and replaces Wright's Edith's Checkerspot, E. editha
wrighti--found more coastally.

	Refer to John Emmel's section on Nomenclature Revisions in "Searching
for Butterflies in Southern California."   You might like to check out
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabala/index.htm  under "hotspots" for the
latest Anza-Borrego area list.

Cheers,

Wanda Dameron
Flutterby Press
Los Angeles, Calif.
be496 at lafn.org


Mark Walker wrote:
> 
> Eric,
> 
> The classification of this checkerspot has been confounded by the use of the
> name "Quino".  The butterfly is a sub-species (or race) of chalcedona, and
> is principally found in the arid eastern foothills of the Laguna mountains.
> It is not a sub-species of E. editha.
> 
> I understand that the common name "Quino Checkerspot" has been used for the
> sub-species of E. editha that flies in the coastal foothills of Orange and
> San Diego Co. (and is currently listed, I believe).  That is not what I saw
> in the desert last Friday.  Too bad!
> 
> Mark Walker
> Mission Viejo, CA
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: eric w hein [SMTP:ewh1 at juno.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 11:40 PM
> > To:   MWalker at gensym.com
> > Subject:      RE: Eastern San Diego Co.
> >
> > Hi Mark:
> >
> > I'm really curious about your observation of Quino checkerspot
> > butterflies near Shelter Valley, San Diego County.  Can you tell me some
> > more about the exact location where you saw the 12 individuals, say on a
> > Thomas Brothers guide?   Not to question your identification skills, but
> > are you sure the specimens were Quino checkerspot and not Chalcedon
> > checkerspot.  This would be a new eastern location for Quino.  I'd love
> > to learn more.  For example, did you observe any dot seed plantain
> > (Plantago erecta), the Quino's larval food plant?
> >
> > Any information would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Eric Hein
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