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Glite Dictionary
checkerspot

checkerspot

1 8.5
A North American butterfly with black and orange checkered wings
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃɛkərˌspɑt/
  • US
: mariposa checkerspot
  • During the field trip, we spotted several checkerspot butterflies fluttering over the wildflowers.
  • checkerspot butterfly
  • Taylor's checkerspot

Examples

  • Using a similar approach, Parmesan et al. (1995) demonstrated that experience did not alter the open-field oviposition foraging behavior of the checkerspot butterfly Euphydryas editha.

    Academic text (2001)

  • For years, he studied the Bay Checkerspot butterfly on Stanford's campus, but then the butterfly disappeared from the campus more than a decade ago.

    Blog text (4)

  • And when Ehrlich journeyed to Morocco to sample a different Checkerspot species, he found no butterflies, just "sheep droppings and not one blade of grass."

    Blog text (4)

  • A northern checkerspot butterfly rests on a flower, showcasing its beautiful checkered wings.

  • The conservation team monitors the population of the endangered checkerspot butterfly in the nature reserve.

Surface Forms

checkerspot singular
checkerspots plural

Morphology

checkerspot = checker + spot (transparent) = checker + spot

The compound literally describes a spot with a checker-like pattern; a learner knowing 'checker' and 'spot' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Checkerspot comes from the parts checker meaning 'a square or checkered pattern', as in a checkerboard or the game checkers, and spot meaning 'a small mark'. So a checkerspot butterfly is named for the small, checkered marks on its wings.