The Variable or Chalcedon Checkerspot, Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona. They vary quite a bit, as the name suggests; this one is typical. Malibu Creek, May 23, 2006.

Variable Checkerspot, this one a tad darker. Also from Malibu Creek on May 23, 2006.

Variable Checkerspots can be abundant in our mountains, as they were this day at Mystic Canyon in the San Gabriels, May 28, 2006.

This Variable Checkerspot is even darker than those above. Sunset Peak, San Gabriel Mtns, May 11, 2007.

The ventral of Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona. Malibu Creek, May 23, 2006.

Another ventral of Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona. West Fork, San Gabriels, June 2, 2006.

Darker still! This Variable Checkerspot is a rare melanic aberration. Rincon OHV Road, San Gabriels, June 9, 2007.

This is the ventral of the same melanic individual above.

The larva of the Variable Checkerspot from the San Gabriels on Keckiella. They are on common Monkey Flower often as well. Mt Baldy trail, April 14, 2007.