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. 

Post-season (45 day) reports should include a signed affidavit from all contributing permittees confirming that their data was accurately incorporated.

Some surveyors have expressed confusion with regard to the number of recommended surveys once Quino checkerspot butterflies have been detected. As stated in bullet #2 on page 4 of the 2002 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 2002 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 your ability to accurately estimate the end of the flight season.  

Table 1.  Post-diapause larval host plant patch Quino checkerspot butterfly monitoring information 2006.  Click on underlined text to see additional notes and photos.

Survey effort not described by permittee, but no larvae or hostplants reported.

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Monitored/ Reference Site Descriptions:

Link to map of Quino checkerspot butterfly monitored sites (Campo and Dulzura sites not pictured, Quino locations not updated since 2003)

The Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office currently monitors nine reference sites occupied by the Quino checkerspot butterfly in western Riverside County and southwestern San Diego County.  Three 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 Rancho Jamul sites east of Otay Mountain in San Diego County.  If post-diapause larvae are ever incidentally observed at one of the other monitored sites, these observations are also reported.  We also monitor a larval host plant patch at Otay Lakes where larvae were observed after the 2003 fires, and the first adult was observed during the 2005 season (12/17/04).

There are four primary monitored sites in southwestern San Diego County (Table 2): 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 2000 ft; and 3) the southeast side of Otay Lakes between 200 and 800 ft in elevation.  We also have begun monitoring a larval hostplant patch near Dulzura (not on map at above link).  We try to see that the Rancho Jamul, Sweetwater Reservoir, Campo (not on map at link above), and Jacumba sites are visited by permitted surveyors to confirm continued occupancy.  We will provide whatever information becomes available to us.   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), 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 (Table 2), located as follows: 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 platain (Plantago patagonica), and  thread-leaved bird's beak (Cordylanthus rigidus).  Wolly Plantain occurs only at higher elevations, and dwarf plantain at lower elevations, however their distributions overlap in Wilson Valley.

Click on picture to view full-size.

Worn male Quino at Jacumba Site, April 2005.		Fresh female Quino.  Photo courtesy of Guy Bruyea.

Table 2.  Adult Quino checkerspot butterfly monitoring information 2006.

*Permittee did not specifically state in their commmunictaion that they had searched for adults.

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Additional Monitoring Notes (click on pictures for larger image if available)

Lake Skinner 12/22/07:

Alison Anderson (USFWS) and Christine Moen (Southwestern Riverside County Multispecies Reserve) visited the larval hostplant patch to assess hostplant condition.  No survey for larvae was conducted.  Plantago appeared to be recently germinated and of average abundance, primarily germinating in sheltered areas and depressions throughout the larval host plant patch.

Marron Valley 1/9/07:

Alison Anderson, Michael Klein (Klein-Edwards Professional Services F.L.I.T.E.), and Christine Tischer (ECORP Consulting Inc.) visited the Marron Valley site from approximately 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.  We stopped at one lower and one higher elevation site along a ridge over-looking the valley.  We also stopped at a two lower elevation occupied sites near SR 94, one near Dulzura and another near Barrett Junction.  Temperatures were relatively warm, and winds were low to moderate, with higher gusts at the high elevation ridge site.  Habitat conditions appeared generally dry, with most germinating plants were exotics, grass, storksbill (Erodium spp.), and mustard.  At the highest elevation ridge site, and down near Barrett Junction, plantago and some other natives had also germinated.  Most plantago appeared well enough developed for larval feeding (no flowering structures) but rare and restricted to a few small sheltered areas and depressions (Figure 1).  Typical weather conditions this winter in the area have been periods of light rain with frequent high winds (Pete Skully, CDF; pers. comm.).

Figure 1.  Plantago and other plants in a sheltered depression at the Marron Valley upper ridge site, 1/9/07.

Lake Skinner 1/24:

Alison Anderson, Angela Hyder (Western Riverside Co. MSHCP), and Tom Ashe (Southwestern Riverside Co. Multispecies Reserve) visited the larval host plant patch to search for larvae.  All of the earlier plantago growth (see notes from 12/22 above) was dried up, appearing brown and wilted, and no caterpillars were observed.  The habitat was very dry, not even exotic weeds were germinating or had survived the recent combination of intermittent low rainfall, warm temperatures, high winds, and most recently, below freezing temperatures.  The only green plants we could find were invasive exotics in the ditch by the side of the road (oat grass and Erodium sp./storksbill), and those appeared drought-stressed with reddening outer leaves. 

Click on picture to view full-size.

Figure 2.  Dried plantago on 1/24/07 at Lake Skinner that germinated in 2006.		Figure 3. Dried plantago at Lake Skinner 1/24/07.

West Otay Mountain 1/27:

Personal communication from Michael Klein:

"I visited Otay Mountain on Saturday, January 27th for QCB monitoring.  As expected, conditions are very dry at the 3 locations I visited.  There is no host plant present currently and minimal filaree growing.  The only plants/shrubs in flower were some buckwheat and deerweed.  I saw only one Behr’s metalmark and it was a male, dwarf condition and almost black. This appears to be a result of the current dry conditions."

Wright's Field in Alpine 2/3:

Personal communication from Michael Klein:

"I was told that the Alpine area received over 1.4” [of rain]. This was reflected in... lots of new growth plantain ranging from 5 – 9 mm. There was also evidence of new growth borages.  No caterpillars were observed, but conditions look promising for... large amounts of host plant and nectar resources."

Otay Lakes 2/6:

Personal communication from Michael Klein:

"No QCB caterpillars were observed. Conditions look promising though. Compared to last year there are many small plantago patches sprouting throughout the area with most plants ranging in size from 2 – 7mm. My estimate was at least 10 fairly dense one foot square patches containing at a minimum of 100 plants per square foot.

New growth soap-plant is also coming up which again, compared to last year, did not begin sprouting until mid-March. Deerweed and matchweed were the only things in flower but there was... enough in flower to provide a decent amount of nectar for any butterflies.

I would not be surprised with the up-coming rains that by President’s Day weekend... larvae would be out and feeding.

Plantago growth at Otay Lakes larval host plant patch on 2/6/2007.

Rancho San Diego and Proctor Valley 2/6:

Personal communication from John Martin (USFWS):

"Yesterday I took a look at QCB habitat at the Rancho San Diego reference site, and... in Proctor Valley. Nice weather, but otherwise dismal QCB conditions.

At Rancho San Diego I found Plantago erecta in 2 spots: one recently dried small puddle in the trail was crowded with tiny seedling herbaceous plants, some of which were Plantago, up to 2 mm tall.  Found another spot on the hillside that had moderately dense Plantago in an area about 2 square meters, a few anomalous individuals up to 2 cm, most about 0.8-1 cm.  I surveyed a lot of ground that in more favorable conditions supports lawns of Plantago, but yesterday was devoid of it.  Erodium and exotic grasses are growing more vigorously than the Plantago, but they're pretty short too, for this time of year.

15:20 Checked the [Proctor Valley] parcel. Negligible Plantago erecta.  I visited ridgetop that should have mucho plantago.  I found about 5 individuals, 5-8 mm tall, in one 0.25 m square patch.  Butterflies were afoot: I saw 6 Painted Ladies and a Behr's metalmark, all fresh specimens."

Mexico, near Tecate 2/14:

Personal communication from Michael Klein:

"Basically [Dave Faulkner and I] did not see any caterpillars [at the occupied site] and the plantago development appeared further behind than what I saw at Otay Lakes. The plantago patches were 2-4mm. They got lots of rain there on Tuesday so access was a bit tricky.  The grounds were all very soft with many areas having puddles. It needs a few days to dry and allow for more plant germination.  We planned to head back to look for caterpillars sometime the first week of March..."

Rancho San Diego/ Proctor Valley 2/16:

Personal Communication from John Martin:

"One sq meter Plantago at site indicated on map...More Plantago just south of there, 1-2 cm tall. Perhaps dense enough to support QCB larvae, perhaps not. No larvae observed.

Only nectar sources are a few token deerweed.

Somewhat extensive Plantago in low southwest corner of Rancho San Diego parcel, near self-storage facility, but all less than 1 cm tall. No larvae observed...

Proctor Valley...

...Plantago is extremely sparse on the ridge where QCB were seen in 2001 (and 2003?). I found only a few token individuals, up to 1 cm tall. There was more Dudleya variegata than Plantago erecta! There is currently not enough Plantago here to support QCB larvae.

In summary, no QCB adults or larvae observed, Plantago is growth is poor overall, with occasional patches of mediocre Plantago."

Otay Lakes and Dulura, 2/16; Otay Mountain Truck Trail 2/17:

Personal communication from Michael Klein:

"Otay Lakes – ...no caterpillars observed. Host plant patches are looking good with many plants ranging in size from 5-13 mm with a mean of 8 mm. Plantago is very dense in some places and there is the beginning of a more green ground cover. Butterflies observed here were painted lady, cabbage white, echo blue, buckeye, bramble hairstreak and funereal duskywing. The hairstreak and duskywing are good late winter early spring indicators. So I am feeling better about the season.

BLM fuel Break area off of Marron Valley Road – No caterpillars observed with plantago patches just beginning to sprout with most plants 2-4mm in size. Currently most of the plantago is patchy and believe that this area is a couple of week behind in development than Otay Lakes. Butterflies observed were painted lady and Behr’s metalmark

Otay Mountain Truck Trail – No caterpillars observed today...  Two of the three sites did not have any plantago sprouting yet. They were the western-most areas.  ...the plantago is just beginning to sprout with plants ranging 1-2mm.  Most of the plants are patchy and not contiguous. The Otay Mountain area looks very much like Marron Valley road near Hwy 94 and is probably about 2 weeks behind in development compared to Otay Lakes.

Otay Lakes and Dulura, 2/16; Otay Mountain Truck Trail 2/24 & 26:

Personal communication from Michael Klein:

Otay Mountain, February 24:

" Plantago is present now at all 3 sites. The 2 western most sites have small sparse patches with plantago at 2-4mm. Very little nectar plants other than deerweed but there is evidence of new growth borages. The eastern most spot near tank 2-1 had better plantago development with the patches looking much more dense and plants averaging 4-6mm."

Otay Lakes, February 24:

"This area is much further along in development than the Mountain. Plantago patches are now nearly a carpet with plants
ranging from 18-23mm. Some are growing fuzzy flower heads too."

Marron Valley, February 26:

"Mostly cloudy and cool (51F)... Plantago patches appear delay[ed] in development but coming up
...fairly dense (see attached photos). Most plants range in size from 7-10mm. There are some which have fuzzy flower heads too.

Dulzura 3/5:

Personal communication from Christine Tischer:

"It was very windy and the annuals are just starting to sprout, so [it seems] still too early to start weekly adult surveys. Plantago growth was minimal and patchy and no flowering heads were seen. No caterpillars were observed. Only a couple of deerweed, matchweed, and buckwheat were in flower."

Lake Skinner, 3/5: 

Scattered, low density plantago.  Many with 4-5 leaves, but appearing stunted.   Many plantago plants were doubled-over with leaves trapped in the seed-coat, perhaps due to drying of mucilaginous seed coating prior to complete leaf emergence from seed.  Almost no adult butterflies, or any other insects.  One cabbage-white, one Mormon metalmark.  No caterpillars.  Habitat appeared to be generally very dry.

Plantago leaves trapped in seed coat, Lake Skinner, 3/5/07.

Plantago at Lake Skinner 3/5/07.

Otay Lakes, 3/6:

Personal communication from Michael Klein;

" No QCB caterpillars observed. Plantain looks very healthy, see attached photos. Most plants are 1.5cm to over 3cm. Many already have flowers on them. There is also clear evidence of something feeding on the plants. What is feeding is unknown.

The only insect observed on the ground today were damp-wood termites. Butterflies being observed ...now from Otay Mountain and the Otay Lakes area are: Anise Swallowtail, Checkered White, Perplexing Hairstreak, Brown Elfin, Echo Blue, Southern Blue, Behr’s Metalmark, Painted Lady, and Funereal Duskywing."

Plantago erecta at Otay Lakes 3/6/07 (Michael Klein).

Rancho Jamul 3/7:

Personal communication from Korey Klutz:

"...several Jones & Stokes Quino permitted biologist (Andrew Borcher, Brant Primrose and myself) checked one of [the Rancho Jamul] Quino populations today... Plantago (mostly 1-2 inches tall without flower stalks) was healthy... although not abundant. A couple plants did have flower stalks. Weather conditions were partly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 70's.  Lots of butterflies were observed (southern blue, Behr's metalmark, Sara's orange tips, painted lady)...although no adult Quino were observed."

"The larvae ranged in size from 12 mm to 31 mm and averaged approximately 20 mm.  Most larvae were active.  In addition the to the live observations, 2 small (less than 5mm) deceased larvae were observed."

Marron Valley and Dulzura 3/9:

The Marron Valley larval hostplant patch appeared relatively dry, but in lower areas (slopes, depressions, trails) there appeared to be typical amounts of healthy-looking plantago.  Plantago was green, a few in flower or with flowering structures.  On the hilltop and hill slopes where there is usually abundant plantago there was almost none, except in depressions.  Almost no nectar sources.  No Quino caterpillars were observed, after almost an hour searching by 4 permittees (more permittees were searching, but only four covered the entire site to minimize habitat impacts and prevent caterpillar mortality).  We started searching at 10:45, wind speeds were low, temp. was 66 degrees.  We observed several Sara orange-tips, 2 painted ladies, a southern blue, and a funereal duskywing skipper.

Plantago at Marron Valley larval hostplant patch 3/9/07.

Larvae were observed in the Dulzura larval hostplant patch where adults and caterpillars were observed last year (2006 monitoring page). 10 Quino caterpillars were observed and ranged in size from approximately 20 to 26 mm, averaging 23 mm.  Plantago was relatively abundant and appeared healthy, some had flowering structures or were in flower.  We observed a southern blue adult, several Mormon (Behr's) metalmarks, and 4 perplexing hairstreaks.

Quino caterpillar in Dulzura 3/9/07.

Jacumba 3/11:

Personal communication from Ken Osborne:

"Conditions at the site are drier than the previous year when I aborted QCB surveys due to drought. Annual growth at this site and surrounding areas is so lacking, and conditions so dry, that I can not see any prospect for substantial QCB flight this season."

Jacumba 3/12:

Personal communication from Doug Allen:

"The site was dry, very little Plantago (3 to 5 mm high) scattered in small pockets within the site.
Temp was 84 degree F.
No adult QCB butterflies or larva were seen.
No other adult butterflies were observed during the site visit.
No nectaring sources were observed.
If there is not rain and the hot dry weather continues, the small amounts of Plantago will dry out very soon.
Looks like a poor season for QCB's in Jacumba."

Wilson Valley and Lake Skinner 3/11:

Personal communication from Ken Osborne:

"On Monday, March 11, I visited the Wilson Valley in order to investigate seasonal conditions at the site.  I found no sign of any annual growth.  The entire area has only dry mineral soil and dried annual grasses and forbs from the previous two years. It is my assessment that QCB can not express any flight on this site for the current year.

...I also stopped along the highway to examine condition of lands around the Lake Skinner and Johnson Ranch
locations.  These areas too, are very dry this year – dryer than the previous marginal year.  In this area, I found some annual growth of grasses and small forbs such as Erodium.  Overall, the annual growth is greatly diminished over good and over even normal years. Although Plantago erecta may be about, I doubt [it will] support any significant flight of QCB in the area."

Anza 3/14:

Personal communication from Angela Hyder:

"I went to [the Anza reference site] today and did not find any host plants or larvae.  It was warm, and only one bush was blooming with white flowers.  Lots of green stuff was coming up though (Erodium, grass, and Red Maids), and it looked like it had more rain than the Skinner and Oak Mountain area."

Proctor Valley and Rancho Jamul 3/16:

Personal communication from Andrew Borcher (Jones and Stokes):

"...observed one flying Quino adult today along Proctor Valley Road at the same location we observed an adult last year. It was observed by Brant Primrose, Phil Richards (Supervised Individual) and myself at 12:15, during sunny skies, a temp of 74, and light winds (1-3mph). There were several small patches of flowering Plantago erecta (approximately 1-3 inches tall). Nectering flowers included Lotus scoparius (deerweed) and Linathus dianthiflorus (ground pink ). ...we all got good looks at it. It appeared fresh and brightly colored.

In addition, the biologist listed above, and Korey Klutz and Ted Lee went up to the ...(Rancho Jamul) population where we observed the 20 quino larvae last week. We were only able to find one quino larvae (approximately 25mm) and observed no flying adults."

Dulzura 3/19:

Personal Communication from Andrew Drummond (Robin Church):

11:30AM -1:00PM
Temp: 67°F - 68°F
Sky: Clear/Sunny
Wind: 0-3 MPH

"Plantago erecta was sparse across the ridgeline surveyed. Individuals of [plantago] observed were small
in size (~25mm) and covered less than 3% of the area surveyed. A photo has been included.

The two Quino observed were on the site hilltop and only stopped for a moment before flying east of the
ridgeline.... A picture of the adult Quino observed has been attached."

Adult Quino in Dulzura 3/19/07 (Andrew Drummond).

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Back to Table 1

Back to Table 2

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.

If you have questions about the Quino Checkerspot Butterfly information posted on this web site contact

Alison Anderson, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office Entomologist.

Anza Reference Site, April 2005, overlooking the Anza Valley and a snow-covered Mt. San Jacinto.