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Maryland State Symbols State Bird - State Butterfly - State Crustacean - State Dog State Flower - State Tree - State Boat - State Folk Dance State Drink - State Sport - State Fossil Shell - State Reptile State Theater - State Cat - State Fish - State Flag Team Sport of Maryland |
Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly |
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The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly was designated Maryland's State Insect in 1973. The Baltimore Checkerspot is one of the most beautiful butterflies of our area, but not many people have seen it. The butterfly's wet-meadow habitat is quickly disappearing.
As part of the family Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies), it bears hairy forelegs too short for walking. The prominent knobs on its antennae also are a trait of this butterfly family. The Baltimore's flight is slow and generally just above the vegetation. Like numerous other butterflies, Baltimores are poisonous to birds and they advertise their distastefulness by spreading their wings while feeding. Because they have little fear of being eaten by predators, they can often be approached closely while feeding on flower nectar. The Baltimore's life span is rather interesting. The female lays clusters of eggs (often several hundred eggs) in late July or early August. The eggs are always (as far as I know) laid on the undersides of Turtlehead leaves. After hatching the tiny caterpillars crawl to the top of the turtlehead and spin a communal web around the leaves they will eat. They feed as a group, overwinter as half-grown caterpillars, and then complete their life cycle the next spring. |
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