Category: Destination4x4

Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)

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The Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus) is a medium-sized butterfly belonging to the brush-footed family, well-adapted to arid environments in western North America.

Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)
Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)

Scientific Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Lepidoptera
  • Family: Nymphalidae
  • Subfamily: Nymphalinae
  • Genus: Chlosyne
  • Species: Chlosyne acastus (W.H. Edwards, 1874)

Several subspecies are recognized, such as C. a. neumoegeni in parts of the southwestern range. The species is sometimes referred to as the Acastus Checkerspot in certain sources.

Description

The Sagebrush Checkerspot has a wingspan of approximately 1.5–2 inches (3.9–5.1 cm), with forewing lengths around 1.8–2.4 cm in some populations.

The upperside features a distinctive checkered pattern of black, orange-brown, and orange (paler in males, often brighter in females). The wings show black lines, smudges, and checks separating bands of pale to yellow-orange; the hindwing base may appear darker (sometimes largely black with limited orange in males). Postmedian bands can show red-orange tones in some individuals.

The underside is more contrasting, with the hindwing displaying bands of chalk-white (or pearly white spots) and brick red, outlined by black veins and edges. This ventral pattern, with more extensive white compared to similar species, aids identification.

It resembles other checkerspots (e.g., Northern Checkerspot or Rockslide Checkerspot) but is distinguished by habitat preference, lighter ventral banding, and specific wing markings.

(Images: Examples of Sagebrush Checkerspot upperside and underside views from various western U.S. locations.)

Behavior

Adults feed primarily on flower nectar from various plants in their arid habitats. Males perch in strategic locations (such as gulches or along washes) and sometimes actively patrol these areas to locate and court females. Flight is typically rapid and direct when disturbed, typical of many checkerspot species.

The flight period varies by region but generally occurs in spring to early summer (e.g., late April to late June in parts of the range like Oregon). Larvae feed on host plants in the Asteraceae family, including species such as green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis), Mojave aster, and various asters in the genus Dieteria. The species is univoltine (one generation per year) in most areas, with adults timed to coincide with host plant and nectar availability.

Range and Habitat

The Sagebrush Checkerspot occurs across the western United States, from eastern North Dakota westward to eastern Washington, and southward to New Mexico, southern Arizona, and eastern California. It is found in states including Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and parts of the Great Basin and Southwest. Populations extend into shrub-steppe regions of southern British Columbia in some accounts, though primarily a U.S. species.

It inhabits dry, arid lowlands, typically below 5,000 feet in many areas (e.g., below 3,000 feet in parts of the Columbia and Snake River basins). Preferred habitats include sagebrush scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands, dry gulches, washes, canyons, brushy flats, sage deserts, and hilly short-grass prairies. It thrives in shrub-steppe and semi-arid environments dominated by sagebrush and associated plants.

Overall conservation status is secure (G5 globally in many assessments), though local populations may face threats from habitat alteration in arid regions. It is not generally considered rare or imperiled across its broad range.

Paradise Arizona

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Paradise, Arizona, is a small ghost town located in the Chiricahua Mountains of Cochise County, southeastern Arizona, within what is now the Coronado National Forest. It represents a classic example of a short-lived mining boomtown from the early 20th century in the American Southwest.

Founding

The town of Paradise was settled in 1901 during the Arizona Territory era (prior to Arizona’s statehood in 1912). It originated as a mining camp following the discovery of a rich vein of copper ore in the Chiricahua Mountains. The Chiricahua Development Company established operations there around 1903, which spurred the town’s growth. Some accounts credit “Grandpa” George A. Walker (or a similar figure) with naming the town, possibly inspired by the area’s abundant shade from trees along East Turkey Creek and its water sources, making it a “paradise” in the rugged landscape. The town was located near the earlier ghost town of Galeyville (an 1880s silver mining and outlaw hub associated with figures like Curly Bill Brocius), about three miles north.

Paradise briefly boomed as a frontier settlement, attracting miners and supporting businesses. At its peak around 1907, it featured a lively, rowdy atmosphere typical of mining camps.

Buildings and Structures

Little physical evidence remains today, as many structures were dismantled for lumber when the town declined, and residents often lived in tents or temporary buildings. Historical accounts mention:

  • General stores — Including a large one built by Henry S. Chamberlain and Tom Hawkins, stocked with groceries, hay, grain, and mining supplies.
  • Hotel
  • Jail
  • Saloons — Reports claim up to 13 saloons at one time, reflecting the rough mining culture.
  • Other businesses — Such as mining-related facilities tied to the Chiricahua Development Company operations.

A few historic structures persist in a limited way. The George Walker House (built around 1902) is a notable surviving building, now used as a bed-and-breakfast or rental in the area, offering views of local wildlife and history. The town also has a small cemetery nearby.

Famous Citizens

Paradise was a small mining community without widely documented “famous” residents on a national scale. Key figures include:

  • George A. Walker (often called “Grandpa” Walker) — Credited with naming the town and an early prominent resident; his historic house remains a landmark.
  • Local miners, store owners, and operators associated with the Chiricahua Development Company.

No major outlaws or celebrities are directly tied to Paradise itself (unlike nearby Galeyville), though the region’s Wild West history includes connections to figures from the broader Cochise County area.

Post Office

The Paradise Post Office opened on October 23, 1901, shortly after settlement, reflecting the town’s early establishment and need for official services. It served the mining community during its boom years.

The post office closed on September 30, 1943, marking the effective end of the town as a functioning settlement. By then, the population had dwindled significantly due to the mine closures decades earlier.

Newspapers

No dedicated newspaper is recorded for Paradise itself in historical sources. Small mining camps like this often relied on regional publications from nearby towns (such as those in Cochise County or Tombstone-area papers) for news. The town’s short boom and remote location likely prevented the establishment of a local press.

Decline and Legacy

The town’s prosperity ended abruptly with the Panic of 1907, when copper prices plummeted from 25 cents to 9 cents per pound. The Chiricahua Development Company shut down operations and left, causing businesses to close and miners to depart. The town never recovered, becoming essentially abandoned by the 1940s, though a handful of residents remained in later years.

Today, Paradise is a quiet ghost town with scattered ruins and a few modern residents or visitors drawn to the area’s natural beauty, birdwatching (in nearby Cave Creek Canyon), and hiking in the Chiricahua Mountains. It stands as a reminder of Arizona’s mining history and the fleeting nature of boomtowns in the early 20th century.

(Note: This report focuses on the historic ghost town of Paradise in Cochise County, distinct from the modern affluent town of Paradise Valley near Phoenix in Maricopa County, which has a separate history tied to post-WWII residential development.)

White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)

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The white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), also commonly known as the hummingbird moth or hawk moth due to its rapid, hovering flight and nectar-feeding behavior, is a member of the family Sphingidae. It is one of the most widespread and abundant sphinx moths in the Americas.

White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)
White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)

Description of the Adult

Adult white-lined sphinx moths are large and robust, with a wingspan of 2.5–3.5 inches (6–9 cm). The forewings are predominantly dark olive-brown to gray-brown, featuring a prominent broad pale tan or white band running diagonally from the base to the tip, along with narrower white streaks along the veins (the source of the “white-lined” name). The hindwings are darker, often blackish with a bright pink or rose central band and black spots. The thorax is “furry” and robust, the abdomen conical and extending beyond the wings at rest, and the proboscis is long for reaching deep into flowers. They are strong fliers, often mistaken for hummingbirds, and are primarily crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) but can be diurnal in some conditions.

Life Cycle Stages

Like all Lepidoptera, H. lineata undergoes complete metamorphosis with four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult.

  • Egg: Females lay small, spherical, pale green to yellowish eggs singly or in small groups on the leaves or stems of host plants. Each female can produce hundreds of eggs. Incubation typically lasts about 1 week, depending on temperature.
  • Larva (Caterpillar): The caterpillars are highly variable in color and pattern (polymorphic), ranging from bright yellow-green to dark green, black, or yellowish forms, often with complex markings including black, yellow, orange, or red spots, lines, or stripes along the body. All forms feature a prominent flexible horn (caudal horn) at the rear end, typical of sphingid larvae. They grow up to 3–3.5 inches (7–9 cm) long through five instars, feeding voraciously on foliage. This stage lasts about 3–4 weeks. In high-density years, caterpillars can form mass migrations across landscapes after defoliating host plants.
  • Pupa: Mature larvae burrow 1–4 inches into the soil to form a shallow chamber and pupate. The pupa is shiny dark brown to reddish-brown, spindle-shaped, about 1.5–2 inches long, with a prominent cremaster (hook-like structure) at the rear for anchoring. The pupal stage lasts 2–3 weeks in summer or longer if overwintering (in cooler regions, pupae may diapause through winter). Emergence is triggered by temperature and moisture cues.
  • Adult: Adults emerge from the pupa, live 1–2 weeks, and focus on reproduction and nectaring. They are important pollinators of tubular flowers.

The species typically completes 2 generations per year in most of its range, with multiple generations in warmer southern areas and potentially one in cooler northern zones. In some regions, it is migratory, with populations moving northward in spring and sometimes failing to overwinter in colder areas.

Host Plants and Ecology

Larvae are extremely polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of plants across families such as Onagraceae (e.g., evening primrose Oenothera spp.), Portulacaceae (purslane), Vitaceae (grape), Rosaceae (apple, rose), and many others including willowherb, four o’clock, elm, tomato, fuchsia, and more. Adults nectar from long-tubed flowers like honeysuckle, columbine, larkspur, salvia, and evening primrose.

Geographic Range and Habitat

Hyles lineata has one of the broadest distributions among North American sphinx moths, ranging from Central America (including parts of South America in some records) through Mexico, the entire contiguous United States, and into southern Canada. It is occasionally reported in the West Indies, and vagrants have appeared in Eurasia and Africa. It prefers open habitats such as deserts, fields, gardens, prairies, woodlands edges, suburbs, and disturbed areas, thriving in diverse climates from arid to temperate. In areas like Nevada (including Las Vegas vicinity), it is common, especially during irruption years when populations boom due to abundant wildflowers or host plants.

This species plays a key ecological role as a pollinator and herbivore, with occasional outbreaks benefiting certain cultural groups historically (e.g., as a food source). It is not considered a major pest in most contexts, though larvae can defoliate garden plants during population spikes.

Total Wreck Arizona

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Total Wreck, Arizona is a classic ghost town and former silver mining camp located in Pima County in the eastern Empire Mountains of southern Arizona. It sits about 7 miles (11 km) from the community of Pantano (near modern Vail), at an elevation of around 4,629 feet (1,411 m). Today, it is completely abandoned with no permanent population, though remnants of its past remain scattered across the rugged landscape.

Total Wreck, circa 1885. Visible are the dining room (1), assay office (2), miners lodging house (3), general lodging house (4), saloon (5), butcher shop (6), and a private residence (7). 19th Century Photo (1885). More than 120 years since its creation in 1885. - Scan from Ghost Towns of Arizona, by James E. and Barbara H. Sherman, page 158

Total Wreck, circa 1885. Visible are the dining room (1), assay office (2), miners lodging house (3), general lodging house (4), saloon (5), butcher shop (6), and a private residence (7). 19th Century Photo (1885). More than 120 years since its creation in 1885. – Scan from Ghost Towns of Arizona, by James E. and Barbara H. Sherman, page 158

History

Silver was discovered in 1879 in the Richmond lode within the Empire Mining District. The key claim—the Total Wreck Mine—was found by prospector John T. Dillon (sometimes recorded as John L. Dillon or John Dilden), a cowboy and miner. Dillon is credited with the quirky name: when recording the claim, he reportedly remarked that the mineral-bearing quartzite ledge looked like “a total wreck” due to its jumbled, chaotic appearance. The name stuck for both the mine and the growing camp.

Development accelerated quickly. A 70-ton stamp mill was built around 1880–1881 to process ore, and a post office opened on August 12, 1881 (closing November 1, 1890). The town boomed as part of the broader silver rush in the area, with the Total Wreck Mining and Milling Company (incorporated in New York) among the operators. By 1884, mines in the district (including Total Wreck as a major producer) had yielded about $5 million in silver bullion—a massive sum at the time.

The camp peaked around 1883 with a population estimated at 200–300 residents. It supported a deputy sheriff capable of mustering a posse of 90 men, reflecting the rough frontier environment. Apache raids occurred nearby (e.g., an 1883 attack on woodcutters in the Whetstone Mountains tied to Geronimo’s band), adding to the era’s dangers.

The boom was short-lived. Declining ore quality, high transportation costs, and the exhaustion of easily accessible silver led to rapid decline. The town was largely abandoned by 1890, becoming a ghost town within a couple of decades. Sporadic leasing and small-scale work continued into the 1940s, but no major revival occurred. The district overall produced over $5 million in silver, with Total Wreck as one of the top contributors (around 14,000 tons of ore averaging 7–8 oz/ton silver, plus lead, minor copper, gold, and even molybdenum in later years).

Town Description and Buildings

At its height, Total Wreck was described as a “thrifty, neat-looking village” with streets laid out at right angles—contrasting sharply with its chaotic name. The main street was named Dillon Street in honor of the discoverer.

Key buildings and amenities included:

  • About 50 houses (mostly simple wooden structures for miners and families).
  • 3 general stores.
  • 3 hotels.
  • 5 saloons (typical of mining camps for recreation and socializing).
  • A butcher shop.
  • A shoemaker shop.
  • A brewery.
  • Several Chinese laundries (a common feature in 19th-century Western towns).
  • A carpenter and blacksmith shop.
  • An assay office (for testing ore).
  • The prominent 70-ton mill on mine property, essential for crushing and processing silver ore.

Water was piped from a nearby source (including an 1880s pump site) to support the mill and town.

Today, little remains: scattered foundations, a few crumbling walls, mine shafts, tailings piles, and holes in the ground mark the site. The area is remote and on private or managed land (near properties like Total Wreck Land and Cattle Co.), so visitors should respect access restrictions and historical preservation.

Total Wreck played a key role as the central hub for the Empire Mining District, driving regional silver production and briefly boosting the local economy in southeastern Arizona during the post-1870s mining surge. Its unusual name and quick rise-and-fall story make it a memorable example of Arizona’s many boom-and-bust mining towns.

Brown, Nevada – Lincoln County Ghost Town

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Ghost Towns of Lincoln County, Nevada
Ghost Towns of Lincoln County, Nevada

Brown, Nevada, is a small extinct settlement and former railroad siding in Lincoln County, southern Nevada. It represents one of many minor stops along the early 20th-century rail network that supported transportation through the remote high desert.

Location and Geography

  • Coordinates: Approximately 37°36′26″N 114°07′58″W (or 37.60722°N, 114.13278°W).
  • Elevation: 5,784 feet (1,763 m).
  • It lies in the Acoma USGS map area, in a remote, arid part of Lincoln County near other ghost towns and sidings such as Acoma, Crestline, and Horseshoe Bend.

The area is typical of southeastern Nevada’s high desert: sparse vegetation, rugged terrain, and part of the broader Basin and Range province. Lincoln County itself has a long history of Native American habitation (primarily Southern Paiute), followed by 19th-century Mormon settlement attempts, mining booms (e.g., Pioche), and later railroad development.

History

The first settlement at Brown occurred in 1905, coinciding with the construction and completion of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (later part of the Union Pacific’s Salt Lake Route). This line provided a direct rail connection between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, passing through southern Nevada and spurring small sidings and support settlements.

Brown functioned primarily as a railroad siding — a non-agency stop used for passing trains, maintenance, or minor freight/passenger services rather than a developed town. Like many such places, it likely supported a handful of railroad workers, section crews, or local ranchers.

By 1941, the Federal Writers’ Project reported a population of just 10 residents, indicating it never grew beyond a tiny outpost.

Decline and Current Status

Brown faded into extinction as rail operations modernized, traffic patterns shifted, and the need for small desert sidings diminished in the mid-to-late 20th century. Today, it is classified as a ghost town, with little to no remaining structures noted in standard historical records. Its legacy is tied to the broader story of Nevada’s railroad era rather than mining, agriculture, or significant events.

Context in Lincoln County

Lincoln County (established 1866, named after Abraham Lincoln) experienced various boom-and-bust cycles driven by silver mining (Pioche in the 1870s), Mormon farming communities (e.g., Panaca), and railroads. Brown was a modest byproduct of the 1905 railroad boom, unlike more prominent Lincoln County ghost towns such as Delamar (“The Widowmaker”), Bullionville, or Fay.

Sources

Information on Brown is sparse, drawn primarily from:

  • GNIS records.
  • Nevada place-name references (e.g., Helen S. Carlson’s Nevada Place Names and the 1941 Federal Writers’ Project guide).
  • Broader Lincoln County histories focusing on railroads and ghost towns.

If you’re planning a visit, note that the site is remote with minimal (if any) visible remnants — standard precautions for Nevada backroads apply (4WD recommended, check weather/road conditions, and respect private land).