The reason for the dormancy during the summer is due to the death of their main food source. Larvae that have not reached full maturity by this time must find a second food source or starve to death. They come out of the dormant stage during the next rainy season. The larvae continue to mature and develop. 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.