Bug FAQElada Checkerspot
Microtia elada · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Nymphalidae
It occurs from southern Mexico northward into central Texas and central Arizona, where adults are on the wing from April to October and produce several generations each year. Caterpillars feed on Siphonoglossa pilosella in Texas and on various yellow Asteraceae in Mexico, while adults drink flower nectar.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The Elada checkerspot belongs to the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan ranges from about 22 to 32 mm (0.9 to 1.3 in).
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives from southern Mexico up through central Texas and central Arizona.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from April to October and there are several generations each year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults can be seen flying between April and October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 2 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, New Mexico.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Elada checkerspot butterflies active?
Adults are on the wing from April through October.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars eat?
They feed on Siphonoglossa pilosella in Texas and on various yellow Asteraceae in Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I find Elada checkerspot butterflies?
They are found from southern Mexico up into central Texas and central Arizona.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Nymphalidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texola_elada
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.