Euphydryas editha taylori

English name Taylors checkerspot Scientific name Euphydryas editha taylori Family Nymphalidae (Brushfoots), subfamily Melitaeinae (Checkerspots) Other English names Ediths checkerspot subspecies taylori, Whulge checkerspot Other scientific names none Risk status BC: possibly extirpated (SH); red-listed Canada: COSEWIC: endangered Global: critically imperilled (G5T1) Elsewhere: Oregon critically imperilled (S1); Washington critically imperilled (S1), candidate for state listing Range/Known distribution Taylors checkerspots have been recorded in the Pacific Northwest from southeastern Vancouver Island, through the Puget Trough (San Juan Islands to Tenino, Washington) and to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. In British Columbia, the historic distribution included ten sites in the Greater Victoria area, one site each near Mill Bay and Comox, and sites on Hornby Island. The last known populations of Taylors checkerspot in British Columbia occurred on Hornby Island. However, in spite of intensive searching in 2001, there have been no confirmed sightings of this butterfly since 2000. This subspecies may be close to extirpation.
Distribution of Euphydryas editha taylori recently confirmed sites known historical sites

Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia

Euphydryas editha taylori

Male, dorsal view wingspan 4.0 cm Female, dorsal view wingspan 4.1 cm

red, black and white markings

Male, ventral view

black line separating orange and reddish areas

Euphydryas editha taylori

All photos: Crispin Guppy

Field Description Checkerspots are so named because of the checkerboard pattern on the dorsal side of the wings. The Taylors checkerspot, a subspecies of Ediths checkerspot, is a striking, red-, black- and white-checked butterfly. The females can be larger than the males.

IDENTIFICATION TIPS
Taylors checkerspot is the only subspecies of Ediths checkerspot in the Georgia Depression. Look for the distinguishing black line on the ventral hindwing, separating the orange and reddish areas. The Chalcedon checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona), which is thought to be extirpated from the Georgia Depression, appears similar but lacks the black line on the ventral hindwing and its dorsal wing markings are much darker. Immature stages: Larvae (caterpillars) are dark with orange dorsal and lateral lines. The bases of the bristles are usually orange.

Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia

Euphydryas editha taylori

Life History Taylors checkerspots have only one generation per year. Adults fly from mid-April to mid-May. On Hornby Island, adults apparently use spring gold (Lomatium utriculatum) as a primary source of nectar. Larvae feed until the fourth or fifth moult and then hibernate until the following spring when they mature, pupate and emerge as adults by midApril. Larvae feed on plantains (Plantago spp.), including the introduced ribwort plantain* (P. lanceolata). Habitat Butterfly and skipper populations are very closely linked to the availability of larval and adult foodplants. Taylors checkerspots are found in areas that support plantains and nectar sources such as spring gold. This includes the dry, rocky areas around Garry oaks and dry, open, short-grass meadows with sparse vegetation. (Plantains are less abundant in long-grass areas.)

Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia

Euphydryas editha taylori

Why the species is at risk
The main threats to Taylors checkerspot are introduced plants, fire suppression and habitat destruction. Invasion by Scotch broom* (Cytisus scoparius) may have resulted in the loss of one population occurring in a Christmas tree farm near Mill Bay. After the tree farm was abandoned, Scotch broom* rapidly invaded the area and the population disappeared. Fires and light grazing would historically have encouraged plantain and spring gold. Now, fire suppression has allowed the ingrowth of shrubs and trees (especially Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in wetter areas), and light grazing has been replaced with more intensive agriculture and urban development. Loss of nectar sources may be another reason for the decline of this subspecies. At Beacon Hill and Uplands Parks, two sites where the subspecies formerly occurred, there is plenty of ribwort plantain* for larval food, but almost no spring gold to provide nectar for adults. Roads, paths, sidewalks and heavy foot traffic along the cliff-top at Beacon Hill Park have eliminated some suitable habitat.

What you can do to help this species

Management practices should be tailored to the needs of this species and its habitat. Potential management tools will depend on the specific circumstances and may require experimentation prior to implementation. Before taking any action, expert advice should be obtained, and no action taken without it. Please refer to the introductory section of this manual. Some of the habitat of the Hornby Island population is within a provincial park, and therefore protected from development (if not from disturbance by humans). However, forest encroachment into the parks Garry oak ecosystems is steadily decreasing the amount of habitat suitable for Taylors checkerspots. Hornby Island residents are attempting to ensure the remaining habitat does not become overrun with Scotch broom.* Maintaining suitable habitat in some other areas may eventually permit natural re-colonisation or human assisted re-introduction of this species and will also benefit other native species that rely on these habitats. If you see this species, DO NOT CAPTURE it, but take clear photographs if possible and record other pertinent information. Detailed information should be given to the Conservation Data Centre in Victoria (srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc).

References
Guppy, C.S. and J.H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press, Vancouver, British Columbia in collaboration with the Royal British Columbia Museum. For further information, contact the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, or see the web site at: www.goert.ca.
Photographs reprinted with permission of Crispin Guppy. 2003 *Refers to non-native species.

Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia