North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

California Patch (Chlosyne californica)
JPG -- species photo

California Patch (Chlosyne californica [W. G. Wright])

Wing span: 1 1/4 - 2 inches (3.2 - 5.1 cm).

Identification: Upperside is black with a wide orange median band and large orange submarginal spots. Underside of hindwing has a red spot near the abdomen which blends into the median band.

Life history: Males perch in the morning on hilltops to watch for females. Eggs are laid in groups on the underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Hibernation is by third-stage caterpillars.

Flight: Many broods from March-November.

Caterpillar hosts: Desert sunflower (Viguiera deltoidea var. parishii) in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Desert washes and canyons.

Range: Southern Nevada south to southwestern Arizona, southeastern California; Baja California and Sonora, Mexico.

Conservation: Not thought to be necessary.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

References:

Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, 
     Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., 
     Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

California Patch (Chlosyne californica)
distribution map
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