Baron's Checker-spot

Melitaea baroni

Butterfly.--This species closely resembles chalcedon upon the upper side, but is smaller and much more heavily spotted with deep red on the upper side toward the base and on the median area of the wings. The bands of light spots on the under side are paler than in chalcedon, being white or very pale yellow, narrow, and more regular. Expanse, male, 1.50-1.80 inch; female, 1.60-1.90 inch.

Early Stages.--These are in part given by Edwards, "The Butterflies of North America," vol. iii. The food-plant is Castileja. The young larvae have the same habit as those of M. phaeton in the matter of spinning a common web in which to hibernate.

The species is found in northern California.