After reaching a weight of 300-500 mg they suspend themselves from vegetation a few mm from the ground. Temperature has a strong effect on the development rates. Larvae on south facing slopes develop faster and emerge a month or so earlier than those on the north facing slopes. Most Checkerspot adults stay in the pupae stage for about 15-30 days. Male Checkerspots come forth 4-8 days before females do.
Males are capable of mating multiple times.
Most females only mate once although they are able to mate 4-7 days after their first copulation. The average adult life span for both sexes is about 10 days. As larvae, they eat the plant that they are born under. If the plant dies off the larvae must find a suitable food source nearby because they have limited mobility. The number one reason for the decline in the Checkerspot is the loss of habitat.