Baltimore Checkerspots: The Next Generation

The newly emerged Baltimore Checkerspots (Euphydryas phaeton) started laying eggs today!

Courtship and mating behaviors had been observed over the last week and today, despite the cooler indoor environment and limited sunlight, the first batches of eggs have been laid. The eggs were deposited on the underside of the leaves of turtlehead (Chelone glabra), their native host plant. Bright golden yellow when first laid, the eggs will turn a deep red over the next few days if they are fertile.