The snowberry checkerspot is a mid-sized butterfly, up to about 2.25 inches across, with a striking checkerboard pattern. From above, the wings are black with rows of ivory and red spots and a band of red spots along the outer edge, though that red band can be missing on the hindwings. Underneath, the hindwing shows alternating bands of ivory and red spots outlined in black and crossed by black veins. Individuals vary quite a bit, so a few different-looking butterflies in one meadow may all be the same species.
True to its name, its caterpillars feed on snowberry shrubs, and they also use penstemons, paintbrushes and honeysuckle. Adults are on the wing from late April into late August. In Oregon the species lives in the Cascade, Siskiyou, Warner, Ochoco and Blue mountains, where it is common and considered secure.
On Mt. Hood, look for it in mountain meadows, along streams, in open woods and on sunny roadsides, especially where snowberry and paintbrush grow. Check the underside of the hindwing when one lands: the order of its red and ivory bands is the best way to tell it from similar checkerspots.
How to identify it
Wingspan up to about 2.25 inches. Upperside black with ivory and red spots and a red band along the outer edge (sometimes missing on the hindwing). The underside of the hindwing has bands of ivory and red spots edged in black; from the edge inward they run red, white, red, white, white.
Look-alikes
Edith's checkerspot is very similar, but its hindwing underside bands run red, white, red, red, white from the edge inward. Chalcedona checkerspot has larger, paler ivory spots in the outer row on the hindwing upperside.
Habitat
Mountain meadows, streamsides, open woodlands and roadsides in the Cascade, Siskiyou, Warner, Ochoco and Blue mountains of Oregon, wherever its host plants grow.
Sightings in the forest
174 research-grade sightings in Mt. Hood National Forest on iNaturalist, most recently on July 25, 2026. See them on iNaturalist →