Please check this page frequently for updates.

Mating Quino checkerspot butterflies, painting courtesy of Alison Anderson (from photo by Frank Ohrmund).

Page Sections

General Information

Notices and FAQ

Reference Site Descriptions

Larval Observations (Table 1)

Adult Observations (Table 2)

Field Notes and Communications

General monitoring information

3-13-09 - Twelve adult Quino checkerspot buterflies were observered at Jacumba site.

The first adults were reported 3/1 at West Otay Mt. in San Diego County, 3/3 at Lake Skinner in Riverside County, and 2/24 at Oak Mountain in Riverside County.  We have recieved other monitoring reports where no adults were observed (most involve larval observations) from Marron Valley (Feb 23) Rancho Jamul (Feb 22), Dulzura (Feb 22), West Otay Mt. (Feb 3 & 19), Lake Skinner (Feb 4 & 23), Oak Mt.(Feb 4), Wilson Valley (Feb 3) and Anza (Feb 3).  We will post other information associated with these reports as soon as possible, not all results have been entered in the table yet.

Reference sites (Table 2) are monitored as often as staff are available (not on a regular basis) and information is posted as soon as possible.  The flight season may start in any given area before we report Quino checkerspot butterfly (Quino) adults at the nearest reference site.  Monitoring is primarily for phenological information and to document continued presence.  Search efforts are not always equal.  Negative surveys under unsuitable weather conditions (weather suitability per survey protocol) are not reported.  Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office staff also work with permitted volunteers to provide the best monitoring information possible.  We share on this website the most relevent information made available to us regarding habitat areas throughout the species' range.

If you have questions regarding monitoring information posted on this web page contact Alison Anderson, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office Entomologist.

Notices and FAQ

A new primary host plant was documented for Quino in 2008.  Surveyors should add Chinese houses (Collinsia spp.) to the list of host plants that are reported if incidentally observed during protocol-level surveys.

Survey validity is assessed on a case-by-case basis after the season is over and 45 day reports are received.  The Service cannot provide concurrence for habitat assessment or survey validity before reports are received.   Surveys contracted and initiated after adults are observed at reference sites may still be considered valid, depending on site-specific information and complete monitoring information at the end of the season. Note the survey protocol (p. 6) states: "Butterfly surveys may not be considered credible if... unfavorable weather such as drought limits Quino checkerspot butterfly detectability."

Notices of planned Quino surveys should be submitted 10 days prior to survey initiation, however, if permittees are not notified or contracted by employers 10 days prior to survey initiation, they should notify us as soon as possible. 

Some surveyors have expressed confusion with regard to the number of recommended surveys once Quino have been detected.  As stated in bullet #2 on page 4 of the survey protocol, complete surveys are to be conducted, "...once per week for a minimum of 5 weeks... even if Quino checkerspots are observed on an earlier visit."

Permittees must use the best available scientific information to decide when to initiate surveys and their duration.  The survey protocol states, "If butterflies are not detected during the first 5 surveys, weekly surveys should continue until the end of the flight season to maximize likelihood of detection of low-density populations."  The best scientific methodology includes consideration of the limitations of your ability to accurately estimate the end of the flight season.

Worn male Quino at Jacumba Site, April 2005 (photo by Mark Catalano, USFWS).		Fresh female Quino (courtesy Guy Bruyea).

Reference Site Descriptions

The Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office currently monitors twelve reference sites occupied by the Quino checkerspot butterfly in western Riverside County and southwestern San Diego County (Table 2).  Four reference sites contain specific larval hostplant patches where we have been able to consistently find larvae and focus monitoring efforts (Table 1). The larval hostplant patches are located at the Lake Skinner site north of Temecula in Riverside County, the Anza site in Riverside County; and the Marron Valley, Dulzura, and Otay Lakes sites in southwest San Diego County.

There are four primary monitored sites in southwestern San Diego County: 1) on a ridge top above Marron Valley at an elevation of 2,000 feet (ft); 2) the western slope of Otay Mountain at an elevation of approximatly 2,000 ft; 3) near the town of Dulzura between 1,420 and 1,560 ft in elevation; and 4) the southeast side of Otay Lakes between 200 and 800 ft in elevation.  We try to see that the Rancho Jamul, Rancho San Diego, Campo, and Jacumba sites are visited by permitted surveyors to confirm continued occupancy.  All reference sites in San Diego County are generally open chamise chaparral or coastal sage scrub, with the exceptions of Campo and Jacumba.  Habitat in Campo is characterized by mixed open chamise and redshank chaparral.  The Jacumba site is "high-desert" open juniper woodland dominated by yucca, cactus spp., Mormon tea, and jojoba.  Monitored primary host plant patches in San Diego County consisted of dwarf plantain (plantago, Plantago erecta) thread-leaved bird's beak (Cordylanthus rigidus), Chinese houses (Collinsia spp.), and woolly plantain (Plantago patagonica; Jacumba only).  White snapdragon (Antirrhinum coulterianum) also occurs in San Diego County.

There are two primary monitored sites in Riverside County: 1) peaks and red clay flats surrounding Lake Skinner between 1,500 and 2500 ft in elevation; and 2) south of the town of Anza between 4,200 and 4,600 ft in elevation.  We try to see that the Oak Mountain and Wilson Valley sites are visited by permitted surveyors to confirm continued occupancy.  We will provide whatever information becomes available to us.  All reference sites in Riverside County are generally riversidean sage scrub dominated by buckwheat, with the exception of the one near Anza. The Anza site is primarily redshank chaparral, with interspersed open areas dominated by buckwheat and great basin sagebrush.  Monitored primary host plant patches in Riverside County consisted of dwarf plantain (Plantago erecta), white snapdragon (Antirrhinum coulterianum), woolly plantain (Plantago patagonica), Chinese houses (Collinsia spp.), and  thread-leaved bird's beak (Cordylanthus rigidus).  Woolly Plantain occurs only at higher elevations, and dwarf plantain at lower elevations, however their distributions overlap in Wilson Valley.

Table 1.  Post-diapause larval host plant patch Quino checkerspot butterfly monitoring information 2008.  Click on date for detailed field notes and photos.

* Incidental obervation by permitee who does not have a permit to survey for larvae.

** Possible ratings are: poor; fair; good; or excellent.  Maturity status categories are: no flowering structures (default, no note); flowering structures; or in flower.

Table 2.   Adult Quino checkerspot butterfly monitoring information 2008.

* Possible ratings are: poor; fair; good; or excellent.  Maturity status categories are: no flowering structures (default, no note); flowering structures; or in flower.

Field Notes and Commmunications

Proctor Valley, SW San Diego 12/10/09

Personal Communication from John Martin (FWS):

" Plantago erecta is up, only moderately dense, most are about 1 cm tall, tallest are 3 cm. Leaves appear rather thin, probably a reflection of the fact that we've had only one major rain event, and that was two weeks ago. So Plantago is not impressive, but sufficiently well-developed and dense to support larvae. Exotic grasses were abundant off the hilltop (outside the area where Plantago is prevalent), 2-5 cm tall. Selaginella bigelloviana is green, Chlorogalum is up, Dudleya variegata is up, to 1 cm."

Back to top

Back to tables

Santee, Otay Lakes, Dulzura, SW San Diego 12/11/0

Alison Anderson (FWS) accompanied by Micheal Klein (Keps Flight-Tours consultant) and Amber Himes (FWS).  Below photos courtesy of Micheal Klein.

Weather conditions were mostly slightly overcast with occasional sun.  Temperatures were warm, above 70 degrees F.  No larvae were observed at Otay Lakes and Dulzura reference site larval hostplant patches.  Condition and density of Plantago erecta varied among and within sites, but relative to typical conditions, plant densities and mass appeared high (plants appeared "lush").  Plant size was largest at the Santee location. Soil was moist in general, but dry in some areas within the reference sites, where new Erodium spp. leaves were turning red from drought stress.  No Plantago erecta showed any signs of infloresence development.

Search times (x2 surveyors) at reference host plant patches:

Otay Lakes: 11 am- 12 pm

Dulzura: 1 pm -2 pm

Old and new Plantago erecta, Santee Dec 11, 2008.

Plantago erecta, Otay Lakes, Dec 11, 2008.

Plantago erecta, Otay Lakes, Dec 11, 2008.

Old and new Plantago erecta, Dulzura, Dec 11, 2008.

Back to top

Back to tables

Rancho San Diego, SW San Diego

Personal communication from John Martin (FWS):

"...I looked at Plantago status on Rancho San Diego QCB reference site. Looked at specific areas where I've seen Plantago in the past 5 years...

time start 14:21, 15:50 end
temp = 25.5°C
wind=.2.3 kph
Erodium cicutarium is abundant and ubiquitous. 3-4cm tall, about 20 mm leaf spread, first set of true leaves present.
Exotic grasses (Avena, Bromus) abundant and widespread. About 10cm tall.
Jepsonia malvifolia in flower.
[site 1]: about 15 sq m mod-dense Plantago, 25-30 mm tall.
[site 2]: about 20 sq m mod-dense Plantago, 20-25 mm tall
[site 3]: sparse Plantago, 20-25 mm tall. There was much more here last year.

Plantago is generally moderately dense (compared to the incredibly lush Plantago in 2004: that's my standard for top-notch Plantago), early in development. I saw a lot more than the brief area estimates above suggest. Lots of small openings with 0.5-1 square meter dusted with Plantago, with a denser clump about 0.01-0.25 sq. m. Definitely enough Plantago here to support QCB larvae. No inflorescences yet. Plants look robust and fat, better condition than the somewhat weak-looking, thin-leaved Plantago in Proctor Valley yesterday..."

Dulzura, Otay Lakes, Rancho San Diego1/2/09

Alison Anderson (FWS) accompanied by John Martin (FWS) Micheal Klein (Keps Flight-Tours consultant), and Summer Bennett.  Below photos courtesy of Micheal Klein.

Dulzura:  Overcast at first then sunny.  Plantago 1-3 cm high, green and healthy ("lush"), no flowering structures, abundant.  66 degrees F at end of visit.  No caterpillars.

Otay Lakes:  Hazy sun.  Cool and windy, <60 degrees F. Plantago average 1.5 cm high, no flowering structures, abundant.  Not much growth since12/11, soil generally wet. No caterpillars.

Rancho San Diego:  Plantago growth in between Dulzura and Otay Lakes, abundant.

Search times (x3 surveyors) at reference host plant patches:

Dulzura: 1 pm -2 pm

Otay Lakes: 12:15 pm- 1:00 pm

Plantago erecta in Dulzura 1/2/09.

Quino host plant patch in Dulzura 1/2/09.

Quino host plant patch at Otay Lakes 1/2/09.

Dulzura 1/12/09

Alison Anderson (FWS)

Below photos courtesy of Micheal Klein.

Personal communication from Micheal Klein (Keps Flight-Tours consultant):

"...3 QCB larvae found today... One was 10 mm, a second was 9 mm, and the third was 15 mm.   I got the impression from the 10 and 9 mm larvae that they have just come out of diapause.   They appeared a bit slow and disoriented.   The larger one, as you can see from the photo, is actively feeding.

Conditions still look good with plantain patches 2-3cm.  Some plantain in the sparse open clay lenses are starting to show signs of turning red and brown.  More rain is needed to stabilize these patches for pre-diapause larvae.

Conditions are more than suitable for post-diapause caterpillars to reach adulthood. Based on what was observed today, adult emergence along the coastal influence could be by mid-February.  Of course any rain events or cold cloudy conditions will delay their development."

9 mm Quino larvae in Dulzura 1/12/09.

10 mm Quino larvae in Dulzura 1/12/09.

15 mm Quino larvae in Dulzura 1/12/09.

Lake Skinner 1/12/09

Below photos courtesy of Christine Moen (S. W. Riverside Co. Multi-Species Reserve).

Personal communication from Christine Moen:

"The Plantago is abundant, but mostly very small (~1/4 inch tall) with some 1/2 inch plants in the "restoration area".  No sign of caterpillars (of any species) in the brief time I was out there today."

Quino habitat Lake Skinner 1/12/09.

Quino host plants Lake Sknner 1/12/09.

Rancho Jamul 1/13/09

Personal communication from Kailash Mozumder:

"K. Klutz, A. Borcher and I visited the Rancho Jamul ...site today between the hours of 1130 and 1230. Weather conditions were clear and sunny with a light 1-2mph wind and temperatures ranging from 72-75 F.  The purpose of this visit was to assess the condition of Plantago in relation to other projects we have in the area. The Plantago was scattered in moderately dense patches and approximately 1 inch in height.  Our host plant assessment ended when we discovered 4 active Quino larvae ranging in size from 9 to 14mm.  Upon finding these individuals we left the site.  None of the plantago was flowering, and no other flowering nectar plants were observed."

Oak Mountain 1/13/09

Below photo courtesy of Rosina Gallego (WRC MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program)

Personal communication from Rosina Gallego :

"I arrived at 10:20am and left at 11:30am. The average Temperature was 25 degrees celsius and average wind speed was 4.5mph.  Plantago erecta was green and in a few dense patches interspersed with Eriogonum fasciculatum and along dirt roads with clay soil.  There was also many areas where Plantago was sparse.  Most is still around 1cm tall but the average height was 1.5-2cm.  None were flowering and a few were showing signs of drought stress.  Only a handful of Brassica and Eriogonum fasciculatum were blooming. No QCB larvae were observed."

Quino habitat on Oak Mountain 1/13/09.

Wilson Valley 1/14/09

Below photo courtesy of Rosina Gallego (WRC MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program)

Personal communication from Rosina Gallego:

Wilson Valley:
I arrived at 11:30am and left at 12:27pm. Temperature reached 29.8 degrees Celcius and average wind speed was 0 mph. The average height of Plantago was about 1cm and it looked healthy, hardly any showing signs of stress. Plantago was in small patches across the 3 hilltops I searched.

Plantago at Wilson Valley 1/14/09.

Oak Mountain 1/21/09

Personal communication from Ken Osborne (Osborne Biological Consulting):

"...Overcast conditions (main impetus for my trip up there) provided optimal conditions for larval searches, greatly facilitating the effort (with overcast, shadows are eliminated and the larvae stand out dramatically). ...after searching for about a half hour (1545 to 1612 hrs), I found ten larvae.  All but one appeared fully developed at last instar ranging from 25 to 27 mm length, while the one measured only 16 mm. In addition, I found the cast skin of a last instar larva (but not the pupa). Last year at this spot, on March 29, I saw some thirty adults, and so I was somewhat surprised not to see many more larvae now.

From this small sample, given the presence of a cast skin (probably blown free of a pupal cremaster), and the overwhelming predominance of well developed last instar larvae, it is a reasonable proposition that some number of individuals of this population have already pupated. Most of the larvae I have just seen will pupate within a few days or less. If I allow for approximately ten days for pupal development, then it follows that adults should be starting (at this location) by the first week of February (given good weather) and possibly in the last week of this month."

West Otay Mt. 1/21/09

Personal communication from Micheal Klein (Keps Flight-Tours consultant):

"...No larvae observed. Habitat patches still looked good. Most plants are 2-3cm. However, individual plants within the bare clay soils are showing signs of turning red at the base. None of these plants have started to produce flowers and without more rain in the very near future, many of these patches could be drying quickly.

I have yet to see any owl’s clover sprouting within these patches that I would normally expect to see by now. Let’s hope they start coming up the week of the 26th."

Marron Valley 2/21/09

Personal communication from Christine Tischer (ECORP):

"Lisa Allen, Blake Claypool, and myself checked out the Marron Valley water tank 3-6 reference site on Saturday morning (2-21-09). We were on site between 9:00am and 10:00am. Conditions were hazy sunshine with a few high clouds (15%), 63-66 degrees F, and calm winds 1-4 mph. Plantago is small (1/4" or less), most with flowering structures. Just starting to sprout in several additional areas. 1 QCB larva found, 3/4" long. Inactive, just sunning on open ground next to plantago patch. Erodium is abundant. No QCB adults seen, very little butterfly activity (2 Sara orangetips, 1 white, 1 lady). Photos taken by Blake C. are attached.

Blake recently took the QCB test and passed and is my understudy for QCB surveys along the border between Tecate and Tierra del Sol this season. No plantago found out there and flowering nectar sources are limited right now, so it seemed a bit too early for surveys even though we conducted our first one this weekend."

(pictures pending)

Rancho San Diego 2/23/09

Personal communication from John Martin (FWS):

"Made a rather hurried check of Rancho San Diego reference site mid-day today. Along the ridge, visited 2 specific hilltops where I got QCB in 2008. Didn't see any QCB. Host plant conditions are good, nectar plant conditions fair, weather good, other leps only moderately abundant.

Field notes
2/23/09
11:31
Rancho San Diego ridge QCB reference site
cloud = 25%
wind = 1kph
temp =.25°C"

Lake Skinner 2/23/09

Personal communication from Rosina Gallego (WRC MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program):

"Plantago abundant, 2-5 cm, inflorescences developing.
Nectar plants: token Linanthus, Allium viola plagiobothrys, Lotus scoparius. Not much nectar plants
Leps: Perplexing hairstreak, pygmy blue, both orange-tips, anise swallowtail."

Today, Feb. 23, 2009, Yvonne Moore and I surveyed the Lake Skinner reference site to look at habitat conditions and for the presence of adult QCB. Average temp was 20.9 degrees celcius, average wind speed was zero and it was partly cloudy. We were there from 9:50am until 10:55am. The Plantago is green, healthy and has flower buds. Average height was 3-4cm. Some nectaring plants were blooming: Erodium spp., mustard, ground pink, baby blue eyes, and southern sun cups. While there we saw 10 QCB larvae with an average length of 2.5-3 cm."

Oak Mountain 2/24/09

Phone call from Karin Cleary-Rose (USFWS).  She reported that biologists saw adult Quino on Oak Mountain today, pers comm. from Rosina Gallego (WRC MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program) pending.

Wilson Valley and Oak Mt. 2/24/09

Personal communication from Rosina Gallego (WRC MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program):

"Ariana and I were at the Wilson Valley Site from 11:15am until 11:45am. Average temp was 20.5°C on a clear day with no wind. No adult QCB were detected. Nectaring plants blooming were Erodium, goldfields, popcorn flower, Amsinkia, phacelia, blue dicks, California poppy, wish-bone bush, wild grape, mustard, and peppergrass.

Ryann Loomis, Lynn Miller, and Yvonne Moore went to Oak Mountain from 10:30am -12pm. Average temp was 24.6°C and average wind speed was 2km/hr and it was partly cloudy. Plantago was green but not yet flowering. Surveyors found 4 adult QCB flying (see attached photos, they are a little zoomed out)! Nectaring sources included: Erodium cicutarium, Lepidium, Hirschfeldia, mirabilis, ceanothus, Indian paintbrush and Lasthenia. Other butterflies flying included: Sara Orangetip, Buckeye, Acmon Blue, and Funereal Duskywing.

Oak Mountain 2/25/09

Personal communication from Ken Osborne (Osborne Biological Consulting):

"I write to inform you of my observation of approximately fifteen adult and one larval Euphydryas editha quino (Quino Checkerspot Butterfly, QCB) made yesterday (February 25, 2009) during the course of a visit to Oak Mountain (the ridgeline west of the Oak Mountain summit), Riverside County. My site visit extended from 11:57 am to 12:07 pm. Conditions were generally cool and calm, below 65° F, with cloudy conditions just burning off at about the time of my arrival. My visit to the site was made simply to verify the onset of QCB flight season., and kept short on my concerns over tramping around in the habitat with larvae and full sunlight (rendering the larvae hard to see).

Over the course of my brief visit to the site, I observed and photographed many QCB on the ridgeline west of the Oak Mountain summit. One of these individuals (a male) showed some wear and fading of the wings, indicating that the QCB season, even at this elevation of over 2500 ft., has been underway for at least a week. With an extended search effort of more than the ten minutes I spent, I am sure that I would have seen many more adults. The larva (approximately 20 mm in length) was also photographed. Presence of this larva indicates that the flight season for QCB will be protracted (for this location) at least to the end of March with potential for a bimodal distribution of adult abundance through the season. ...

I noted a CA Fish and Game truck arriving to the site a few minutes ahead of me. Thus, on the field, I met Ms. Rosie Gallego and two other biologists also looking for QCB. They informed me of their observation of one adult QCB and larva at this location the day before."

Rancho Jamul 2/28/09
Personal communication from Andrew Borcher (ICF Jones & Stokes):

"K. Mozumder and myself observed 4 adult Quino today on the Rancho Jamul reference site. We were there from 1300 to 1430 with weather conditions consisting of sunny skies, a temp of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and winds of 1-4 mph. Plantago was abundant and flowering. Nectar plants observed included popcorn flower, ground pink and shooting stars. Other butterflies observed included painted lady, funereal duskywing, spring white, perplexing hairstreak and Sara's orange-tip."

West Otay Mt. 3/1/09

Personal communication from Ken Osborne (Osborne Biological Consulting):

"I write to inform you of my observation of an adult Euphydryas editha quino (Quino Checkerspot Butterfly, QCB) made yesterday (March 1, 2009) during the course of a visit to Otay Mountain, San Diego County. I decided to take an hour off from a survey I regularly do on the Otay Mesa, and visit the hills along the western base of Otay Mt – known locality for QCB – in order to confirm my predictions of QCB flying there by this date. ...at approximately 11:45 am, I observed a fresh, bright, brick-red adult male QCB flying along the side of the road. I got out of my vehicle and ran along side for some ten meters to get a good look – the butterfly did not stop on its eastward flight. This observation was at an elevation of approximately 1575 feet... Conditions were generally warm and clear with 80° F."

Lake Skinner 3/3/09

Personal communication from Christine Moen (S. W. Riverside Co. Multi-Species Reserve):

"I observed a Quino checkerspot butterfly at the sentinel site on the south shore of Lake Skinner... This is the first qcb observation for the Multi-Species Reserve this year."

Back to top

Back to tables

Disclaimer:

Opinions expressed in the personal communications above are not official guidance from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Nonetheless, we post relevant information submitted by permittees to assist interested parties in making maximally informed survey decisions and conclusions.