It just kept happening? We’re working the perennial gardens of the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas near the border wall. Then, a butterfly flies in from who knows where, and lands on a wildflower. Your brain does its 1/500th of a second discernment of the flight, wing shape, colors, patterns, flight braking technique, wing position on the flowerhead and then back fires the conclusion: New!!
Yippee! Another new one. This one alighted on Mistflower blooms. I shot away. Weeks before this trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, I spent much time studying whatever field guide I had of butterflies west of the Mississippi River. I’m not sure that was a good use of my time, for when this baby made its stage entrance, I wasn’t sure of what species of Checkerspot it was. John offered that it was a Theona Checkerspot Butterfly.
When the slides came back from Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas, John’s ID was confirmed. My first meet-up with a Theona Checkerspot.
The illuminated cells in the image are its saving grace. Theona, illuminated.
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
I adore the name Theona and how it rolls off the tongue. First heard of them when reading “Broadsides from Another Order” but did not realize it was a checkerspot. What a lovely capture and how the sun shines through the wings like stained glass. Reminds me of my beloved Baltimore Checkerspots that feast on my turtlehead plants here in NW NY state.
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How appropriately named is Theona (meaning godly or “God’s name”). Her wings are like stained glass and remind us of the Source of her beauty.
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