Wing span: 4.2 to 6 cm.

Flight time: Multiple broods from mid-April to mid-October. As this species is common in Minnesota during April and May, the rarity of early spring Iowa records is likely due to incomplete field observations.

Status: Breeding resident.

Distinguishing features: Females have a distinctive dark brown checkered pattern above on both upper and lower wings; males often lack this pattern, having only a few black patches on the forewing. The hindwing below is yellowish.

Distribution and habitat: While found state-wide, it is most common in western and east-central Iowa, where it flies along railroad tracks, in old fields, disturbed areas, and pastures.

Natural History: Larvae consume a wide variety of weedy mustards. Olsen (1990) observed a ten-fold decrease in the population size of this species at Rock Island Preserve in Linn County from sequential dry (1989) and wet (1990) years. This population has not been seen since then.