Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton). I love so many butterflies. This is one of them. It’s the official state insect of Maryland. I was able to capture this photo of a Baltimore Checkerspot at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.

The Baltimore Checkerspot larval host plant is White Turtlehead. If that plant is not available caterpillars will often choose viburnum, English plantain, or penstemon as a substitute. I took this image of a Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillar at Buck Hollow in Shenandoah National Park.