Euphydryas editha bayensis
| Bay checkerspot butterfly Euphydryas editha bayensis |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Euphydryas |
| Species: | E. editha |
| Subspecies: | E. e. bayensis |
| Trinomial name | |
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Euphydryas editha bayensis (Sternitsky, 1937) |
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The Bay checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas editha bayensis, is a butterfly endemic to the San Francisco Bay region of the U.S. state of California. It is a federally threatened species, as a subspecies of Euphydryas editha.
Since the 1980s the population of checkerspots, the Euphydryas species and subspecies, has been in serious decline. This particular subspecies had been the subject of extensive study by researchers a Stanford University since the 1960s. Thus its vulnerability particularly in light of rapid land development taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area was recognized by this group of researchers. Consequently, in 1980 they petitioned the U.S. Government to list this checkerspot subspecies as endangered. This led to a prolonged and contentious review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service involving scientists representing arguments for and others against listing and numerous public hearings. The Service finally conferred federally threatened status designation in 1987.
Recently, two authors have advocated a reclassification for this subspecies of the checkerspot common to western North America, Euphydryas editha. The classification, to Euphydryas editha editha, is for reasons of historical precedence; however, this has not been accepted by the scientific community.
The Bay Checkerspot butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly with a wing span of slightly more than 2 inches (51 mm). As a member of the family Nymphalidae the checkerspot is part of a group of brush-footed butterflies. The insect's forewings are marked with black bands along the veins of the wing's upper surface. It is the black banding that gives the Bay Checkerspot its unique appearance and its name. The bands contrast sharply with bright red, yellow and white spots.
The Bay checkerspot differs from other checkerspots, with characteristics differing:
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