Taylor’s Checkerspot

Once abundant in the Northwest, the Taylor’s checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) historically occupied areas west of the Cascades from Oregon’s Willamette Valley to British Columbia. Now it is a species of concern under the Endangered Species Act. Surveys in areas known to have these butterflies in the past have found them mostly absent. Their range is now limited to 14 isolated habitats in Washington State, all of which are threatened. Restoration of habitat and reintroduction of the butterfly will be an important part of its recovery, and captive-rearing to reduce juvenile mortality will produce enough individuals to allow reintroduction efforts.

Taylor’s Checkerspot Fast Facts

• Listed in Washington State as endangered. It is a candidate species for both federal and state protection.
• Lab-rearing project at the zoo started in 2003.
• The eggs are laid in masses.
• In the wild, Taylor's checkerspots eat a variety of plants. At the zoo, they eat Plantago lanceolata.
• Adult butterflies have an average wingspan of around 2.25 inches.