Elada Checkerspot
Microtia elada
(Texola elada)
This butterfly was observed in Rackensack Canyon, Maricopa Co., Arizona, May 2009. It is taking nectar from flowers of Spreading Fleabane (Erigeron divergens).
Nymphalidae -- Brush-footed Butterfly Family
The Elada Checkerspot is a very small butterfly; the wingspan is usually 25 mm or less. The butterfly often flies close to the ground in a languid fashion and so often goes unnoticed. The caterpillar uses several members of the Acanthaceae plant family during the caterpillar stage. Look for it in canyons where there is a relatively good water supply and rarely far from one of its host plants. Some authorities refer to populations of this butterfly in Arizona as Texola perse, or Arizona Checkerspot. To add even more confusion there is an even smaller, similar checkerspot butterfly found in the same upland Sonoran Scrub habitat, Microtia dymas - Tiny Checkerspot.