The Complete

Butterfly
Field Guide
of the Santa Monica Mountains

Santa Monica Mountains

National Recreation Area
1 2

Table of COntents How To Use This Field Guide

How To Use This Field Guide 2 The chapters in this guide are divided into scientific families. The
Basic Lepidoptera Structures 5 beginning of each chapter lists the different subfamilies those
Terms and Definitions 6 butterflies can be divided into, if any. Some of these names are
self-explanatory - Blues, Whites, etc. - and others - Admirals,
Family Common Name Family Scientific Name Fritillaries, etc. - are less intuitive.
Swallowtails Papilionidae 7 Each butterfly has the following information: common and
Whites and Sulphurs Pieridae 13
scientific name, size, flight time, caterpillar food plant(s),
Coppers, Hairstreaks, and Blues Lycaenidae 25
Metalmarks Riodinidae 49
identification information, and a photo. The flight time is a range
Brushfoots Nymphalidae 53 when you will see the butterflies locally in their adult form. In
Skippers Hesperiidae 75 this guide, butterflies are listed in each chapter from most to
least common. Each subfamily should been read as a chapter
Index 91 within a chapter. For example, in Lycaenidae, Coppers will be
Acknowledgments 94 listed most to least common, then Hairstreaks, then Blues.
3 4
The symbols below may be found at the upper, inside corner of getting warmer have flowers blooming earlier than previous
each page. They indicate the rarity of the species, both in the years. Butterflies in these areas are pressured to adjust to
Santa Monica Mountains and throughout its entire expanse. these changes in asynchronization and are, consequently,
emerging earlier. Second, butterfly ranges are changing. Recent
Uncommon in the Santa Monica Mountains
studies have shown that butterfly ranges are shifting over
Rare in the Santa Monica Mountains time - primarily North - due to changes in microclimates. Third,
Threatened throughout its range butterfly diversity is decreasing. This is contributed to a variety
Endangered throughout its range of factors, including: habitat destruction and/or fragmentation,
pollution, and the spread of invasive species that do not support
Although some butterflies in the Santa Monica Mountains are on butterfly diversity. Although some species are growing at a rapid
the verge of extinction, none of them are currently protected by pace, other, more specialized ones are declining.
the Endangered Species Act.
Butterflies are a vital indicator species due to their sensitivity to Remember, the mission of the National Park Service is to
environmental changes. Because butterflies have been captured preserve unimpaired the natural resources of the park system,
by enthusiasts for centuries, scientists are able to study long-term so we ask that you please do not catch or hurt the butterflies.
shifts in populations, ranges, and biodiversity. First, areas that are Thank you!
5 6

Basic Lepidoptera Structures Terms and Definitions

Eyespot - a pattern on the wings that resembles an eye. May intimidate or
distract predators.

False Head - tails and eyespots that mimic the antennae and head of a
butterfly. Patterns on wings often draw the eye to the false head.

Lepidoptera - the order of insects that includes butterflies and moths. Means
“scale wing.”

Overscaling - a heavy patch of scales.

Scale - butterfly wings are composed of microscopic scales.

Stigma - a patch of scent scales found on males that are used during courtship.
Common characteristic of hairstreaks and skippers.

Diagram by Simon Coombes Tail - part of the wings that sticks out around the anal angle.
7 8

Swallowtails
Papilionidae

The Swallowtails are the largest butterflies in the

Santa Monica Mountains. They are easily identifiable
by their long tails which mimic antennae. There are
only four species of Swallowtails found in the Santa
Monica Mountains, and their bright colors and size
allow for easy identification.

Note: The Family Papilionidae also includes Parnassions; however,

none have been found in the Santa Monica Mountains.
9 10
Western Tiger Swallowtail Anise Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus Papilio zelicaon

Size: 2 3/4 - 4 inches Size: 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inches

Flight Time: year-round Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: sycamore, Food Plants: fennel or
cottonwood, willow, other carrot family
alder
Wings have yellow
Yellow with four rectangles outlined by a
vertical, black stripes on wide, black border. Has
upperside. Underside an orange eyespot near
has two orange spots the tail with a round,
near the end of the black center.
inner margin.
11 12
Pale Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon Papilio cresphontes

Size: 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches

Flight Time: Feb-Oct Size: 4 - 6 1/4 inches
Food Plants: Ceanothus, Flight Time: Mar-Oct
other buckhorn family Food Plants: citrus

Similar to Western Tiger Black with yellow spots

Swallowtail, but cream spanning wing to wing.
colored instead of Each tail has a yellow
yellow. Narrow, pointed spot outlined in black.
forewing.

Photo by Randy Philips Photo by Robert Behrstock

13 14

Whites and Sulphurs

Pieridae

Subfamily Common Name Subfamily Scientific Name

Whites Pierinae 15
Sulphurs/Yellows Coliadinae 19

The Whites and Sulphurs are medium to small in size. They

are white, yellow, or orange in color and may have black or
red markings. Most of the caterpillars feed on plants from the
Mustard family. All adults from this family are nectar feeders.
15 16

Cabbage White Checkered White

Pieris rapae Pontia protodice

Size: 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 inches

Size: 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inches
Flight Time: year-round
Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: black
Food Plants: native and
mustard, wild radish,
non-native mustards
nasturtium
White with brown or
Upperside white with
black checkered pattern
gray tips on forewings.
on the front of the
Males have one dark,
pointed wing tip.
submarginal spot;
females have two.

Photo by Jeffrey Pippen

17 18

Sara Orangetip Becker’s White

Anthocharis sara Pontia beckerii

Size: 1 1/16 - 1 1/2 inches Size: 1 5/8 - 2 inches

Flight Time: Feb-June Flight Time: Feb-Aug
Food Plants: native Food Plants: bladderpod
mustards
Upperside white
Upperside white with with black spots near
orange tips on the forewing tip. Underside
forewing. Underside has has green edging along
green marbling on the hindwing veins.
hindwing.

Photo by Ron Wolf

19 20

Orange Sulphur (Alfalfa Sulphur) Harford’s Sulphur

Colias eurytheme Colias harfordii
Size: 1 3/4 - 2 inches
Flight Time: Apr-Sept
Food Plants: Astragalus
Size: 1 3/8 - 2 3/4 inches (locoweed or
Flight Time: year-round rattleweed)
Food Plants: pea family,
lotus, clover, vetch, Males are vibrant yellow
alfalfa with a black cell spot
on the forewing. They
Varies white to yellow have a dark forewing
to orange with black border and a thinner
border on upperside. hindwing border of the
Underside has a silver same color. The borders
spot on the hindwing. on females are reduced
or missing.
Photo by Crystal Anderson Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
21 22
Sleepy Orange Dainty Sulphur (Dwarf Yellow Sulphur)
Abaeis nicippe Nathalis iole
Size: 1 3/8 - 2 1/4 inches Size: 3/4 - 1 1/4 inches
Flight Time: Mar-Oct Flight Time: Mar-Nov
Food Plants: cassia Food Plants: sunflower
family
Upperside orange
with a small, black cell This butterfly has
spot on the forewing. elongated forewings.
Underside can be Underside forewing has
a variety of colors, black spots on the edge
depending on what of the outer wing and a
form it is. Summer yellow to orange patch
forms are orange- near the wing base.
yellow. WInter can be Upperside has yellow
shades or red or brown. and black markings.
Photo by Jonathan Wright Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
23 24
Cloudless Sulphur California Dogface
Phoebis sennae Zerene eurydice
Size: 2 - 2 1/2 inches
Flight Time: Mar-Sept
Size: 2 1/4 - 3 1/8 inches Food Plants: Amorpha
Flight Time: Mar-Oct californica (false indigo)
Food Plants: cassia
This is the California State
Upper surface of males Butterfly.
is yellow. Females have
uneven black borders Vibrant yellow-orange with a
on the the edges of the purple iridescence. Pattern on
wings. Underside of male forewings resembles the
hindwing has two pink face of a dog. Females are
spots with silver centers. yellow with a black cell spot
Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland on the upper forewing.
Photo by Jeffrey Pippen
25 26

Coppers, Hairstreaks, and Blues

Lycaenidae
Subfamily Common Name Subfamily Scientific Name

Coppers Lycaeninae 27
Hairstreaks Coliadinae 29
Blues Polyommatinae 39

There are 21 species of Lycaenids in the Santa Monicas - more

than any other family. These butterflies typically have vibrant,
iridescent blues, reds, and oranges in their coloring. Adults are
usually small to very small. Lycaenid caterpillars are commonly
slug shaped and many species produce sugary secretions in
exchange for protection by ants.
27 28
Gorgon Copper Tailed Copper
Lycaena gorgon Lycaena arota
Size: 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inches Size: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches
Flight Time: Apr-July Flight Time: May-July
Food Plants: Eriogonum Food Plants: wild currant
elongatum (wand or Ribes (gooseberry)
buckwheat)
Small tail on hindwing.
Upperside copper with Upperside of males is
purple tint on males copper with a purple tint.
and dark brown with Females are orange with
beige and black spots brown wing bases and
on females. Both are wide, brown borders on
gray with black spots the forewing. Underside
on underside with a gray with black spots and
submarginal row of red- submarginal crescents on
orange spots. hindwing.
Photo by Randy Wight Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
29 30
Gray Hairstreak Sylvan Hairstreak
Strymon melinus Satyrium sylvinus
Size: 1 - 1 3/8 inches
Size: 7/8 - 1 3/8 inches Flight Time: May-July
Flight Time: Feb-Nov Food Plants: willow
Food Plants: mallow,
buckwheat, coffeeberry, Not all have tails.
pea Upperside gray-brown or
red-brown with an orange
Thin tail on hindwing. mark on the hindwing
Underside ranges near the lower edge.
from pale to dark Males have a blue tint;
gray. Irregular, white females have a yellow
postmedian line one. Underside ranges
bordered by orange. from gray to white with
Upperside is slate with a postmarginal series of
red-orange eyespots. black dots. Red to yellow
Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland Photo by Randy Emmitt
spot near the tail.
31 32

Bramble Hairstreak (Coastal Green/Perplexing Hairstreak)

Hedgerow Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
Satyrium saepium
Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches
Flight Time: Feb-Apr
Food Plants: buckwheat,
Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches
Ceanothus, deerweed
Flight Time: May-July
Food Plants: Ceanothus
No tail. Underside
(wild lilac)
turquoise, sometimes
with noticable
Upperside copper with
postmedian line of
metallic tint. Underside
white spots on the
beige to brown with a
hindwing. Upperside is
slate to blue spot near
gray and females have
the tail.
some yellow in the
center of both wings.
Photo by Alan Wight Photo by Sally King
33 34
Brown Elfin (Western Elfin) Great Purple Hairstreak
Callophrys augustinus Atlides halesus
Size: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches
Size: 1 1/4 - 2 inches
Flight Time: Feb-July
Flight Time: Mar-Oct
Food Plants: Mostly
Food Plants: mistletoe
dodder, but also
in sycamores or
Ceanothus
cottonwood
No tails, but hindwing
One short and one
is turned downward.
long tail on hindwing.
Upperside ranges from
Upperside is black with
gray-brown to red-
vibrant blue iridescence.
brown. Underside is
Underside is black with
chesnut brown with
metallic gold markings
iridescence and a
near the tail. Abdomen
dark, postmedian line.
is blue on top and red-
Hindwing is visibly
orange underneath.
Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
darker at the wing base. Photo by Sally King
35 36
California Hairstreak Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Satyrium californica Satyrium tetra
Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches
Flight Time: May-Aug Flight Time: May-July
Food Plants: Ceanothus Food Plants: mountain
and oak mahogany

One long and one short Males have short tail;

tail on each hindwing. females have a long
Upperside is brown with tail (although it may be
an orange spot on the missing). Upperside is
hindwing near the tails. gray-brown. Underside
Underside is gray-brown is a mossy gray color
with orange crescents with an ash overtone.
and a blue patch near There is an irregular,
the tail. It also has a postmedian white line
postmedian curve of and a slate colored spot
Photo by Christopher Christie
black spots. Photo by James Hogue
near the tail.
37 38
Gold-Hunter’s Hairstreak Santa Monica Mountains Hairstreak
Satyrium auretorum auretorum Satyrium auretorum fumosum
This species is endemic to the Santa Monica Mountains. It is highly localized
and threatened by urbanization.
Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches Size: 1/2 - 5/8 inch
Flight Time: May-July Flight Time: Apr-June
Food Plants: scrub oak Food Plants: scrub oak

Short tail on hindwing. Looks nearly identical

Upperside is red-brown to the Gold-Hunter’s
with a yellow tint on Hairstreak. The only
females. Underside has noticeable difference is
an orange spot near the a darker ground color
tail with a black center. on both sides and a
more prominent series
Photo by Kim Davis, Mike of postmedian spots.
Stangeland, and Andrew Warren
Photo by Harmut Wisch
39 40
Western Pygmy Blue Marine Blue
Brephidium exilis Leptotes marina
Size: 1/2 - 3/4 inch Size: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches
Flight Time: year-round Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: Atriplex Food Plants: Plumbago
(saltbush) and goosefoot and various pea family

Very small. Upperside The underside of the

copper with slate blue forewing has rows of
wing bases and white light brown bands that
fringe. Underside copper can be seen from the
with white wing bases costa to the margin.
and markings. Edge of Upperside is blue
hindwing has a row of with a purple tint on
black circles. Three small males and no white on
black dots are near the females.
base of the hindwing.
Photo by Sally King Photo by Sally King
41 42
“Bernardino” Dotted Blue Acmon Blue
Euphiltoes bernardino Plebejus acmon
Size: 11/16 - 13/16 inch
Flight Time: Apr-Aug
Food Plants: California Size: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches
buckwheat Flight Time: Feb-Nov
Food Plants: deerweed,
Males have blue upperside buckwheat
with a thin, black border
on the outer margin. Upperside of males
Females are brown blue, females brown.
and have an orange, Both sides have
submarginal band on the an orange-pink
upper hindwing. Both are submarginal band.
off-white on the underside Underside white with
and have black spots and black spots.
an orange postmedian
(c) 2007 Ron Hemberger
band on the hindwing.
43 44

Silvery Blue Western Tailed Blue

Glaucopsyche lygdamus Cupido amyntula

Size: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches

Size: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches
Flight Time: Feb-May
Flight Time: Feb-Sept
Food Plants: Lotus
Food Plants: Astragalus
scoparius (deerweed)
(locoweed or
rattleweed)
Upperside of males is
silvery blue with thin,
Tiny, thin tail. Upperside
black borders and white
blue to brown-blue.
fringe. Female is darker
Upper wings have black
blue with wide, black
edging. Underside
borders and white fringe.
white with black
Underside is gray-brown
markings and an orange
and hindwing has a
spot near the tail.
crooked row of black dots
outlined in white.
45 46

Spring Azure Ceraunus Blue

Celastrina ladon Hemiargus ceraunus

Size: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches

Size: 7/8 - 1 3/8 inches Flight Time: Mar-Oct
Flight Time: Feb-July Food Plants: pea family
Food Plants: Ceanothus
(wild lilac) Underside is gray with a row
of postmedian dashes on
Upperside silvery blue each wing. For Southwest
with black outer edge species, the hindwing has
on forewing of females. two submarginal eyespots.
Underside varies from Upperside of males is blue;
pale gray with faint females is dark brown,
dots to darker gray with usually with blue wing bases.
larger, black spots.

Photo by Edith Smith

47 48

Sonoran Blue
Philotes sonorensis

Size: 7/8 - 1 inch

Flight Time: Mar-Apr
Food Plants: lance-
leaved dudleya

The only Blue in North

America with red
spots on the forewing.
Hindwing of female also
has red spots. Upperside
is silvery blue.

Photo by Jonathan Wright

49 50

Metalmarks
Riodinidae

Metalmarks range from small to medium in size. Species

have lots of variation of patterns, posture, and behavior.
It is easy to identify sex on Metalmarks because females
will have three pairs of walking legs, but males will only
have two. Their front legs are reduced.

Note: Unlike the other families, Metalmarks do not have

subfamilies. Instead, the Metalmarks are divided into “Tribes.”
Both of the Santa Monica Mountains species are from the
Riodinini Tribe.
51 52
Fatal/Dusky Metalmark Mormon Metalmark
Calephelis nemesis Apodemia mormo
Size: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches
Flight Time: Mar-Nov
Food Plants: California
Size: 3/4 - 1 inch buckwheat
Flight Time: Feb-Oct
Food Plants: mule fat, Upperside ranges in
bush sunflower color from orange-
brown to black and
Forewings on males has white and black
are pointed. Upperside spots. There is a patch
is brown with dark, on the upperside and
irregular median bands underside forewings
on both wings. that ranges from tan to
red. Underside is gray
and orange with white
Photo by Stephen Holloway Photo by Alan Wight spots.
53 54

Brushfoots
Nymphalidae
Subfamily Common Name Subfamily Scientific Name

Fritillaries and Heliconians Heliconiinae 55

Anglewings, Checkerspots,
Crescents Nymphalinae 57
Admirals and Sisters Limenitidinae 68
Nymphs and Ringlets Satyrinae 70
Milkweed Butterflies Danainae 72

There are more species in the Nymphalidae family than any other
family. Brushfoots have a lot of variation. Sizes can vary from
small to large. All adults have reduced front legs which can not be
used for walking. They are commonly orange, yellow, brown, or
black. Some adults can live 6-11 months, the most of any butterfly.
55 56

Gulf Fritillary “Comstock’s” Callippe Fritillary

Agraulis vanillae Speyeria callippe comstocki
Size: 2 1/2 - 3 3/4 inches
Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: passionvine Size: 2 - 2 1/2 inches
Flight Time: May-July
Bright orange with Food Plants: violets
black markings and
elongated forewings. Upperside orange
Three white spots to red-brown with
outlined in black on the evenly spaced, black
edge of the forewing. markings. Underside has
Underside brown with silver spots, including
an orange forewing three triagular shaped
base and large, submarginal ones
iridescent silver spots. edged in brown.

Copyright Lynette Schimming Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland

57 58

Variable/Chalcedon Checkerspot Painted Lady

Euphydryas chalcedona Vanessa cardui
Size: 2 - 2 7/8 inches
Size: 1 1/4 - 2 1/4 inches Flight Time: year-round
Flight Time: Apr-June Food Plants: thistle, mallow,
Food Plants: bush lupine, fiddleneck, among
monkeyflower and others
other figwort family
Upperside orange and brown
Highly variable. with darker wing bases.
Forewing is narrow. Forewing tips have a black
Upperside ranges from patch with a white bar on the
dark orange-brown to leading edge of the wing.
black and may have Hindwing on both sides have
yellow, red, or white four submarginal black spots,
spots. There are yellow sometimes with blue scaling.
and orange bands Underside is a gray, brown,
underneath the wings. and black pattern.
Photo by Alan Wight Photo by Sally King
59 60

Common Buckeye Mourning Cloak

Junonia coenia Nymphalis antiopa

Size: 1 5/8 - 2 3/4 inches

Size: 2 1/4 - 4 inches
Flight Time: Feb-Nov
Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: plantain,
Food Plants: willow,
snapdragon,
cottonwood
monkeyflower
Black with yellow
Light brown with two
border on wings. Row
orange bars on the
of bright blue spots
front wings and four
above yellow border.
eyespots on each side.
Short projections
The larger hindwing
on hindwings and
eyespot is the upper
forewings.
one, and it contains a
pink-purple crescent.
Photo by Jonathan Wright Photo by Alan Wight
61 62
West Coast Lady Red Admiral
Vanessa annabella Vanessa atalanta

Size: 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 inches Size: 1 3/4 - 3 inches

Flight Time: year-round Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: mallows, Food Plants: nettles
especially cheeseweed;
nettle Black with white spots
on the wing tips. Red-
Upperside orange and orange median band
brown with an orange on forewing and red-
bar on the front edge orange marginal band
of the forewing. Three on hindwing.
to four blue spots on
Picture copyright 2006 J.K. Lindsey
the hindwing.
Note: Despite its name, the Red Admiral is actually considered to be a
Photo by Jonathan Wright “True Brushfoot,” NOT an “Admiral.”
63 64

Mylitta/Thistle Crescent American Lady

Phyciodes mylitta Vanessa virginiensis

Size: 1 3/4 - 2 5/8 inches

Size: 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inches Flight Time: year-round
Flight Time: Mar-Oct Food Plants:
Food Plants: native and Gnaphalium
non-native thistles (everlasting)

Upperside is vibrant Upperside orange with

orange with narrow, a black apical patch on
dark brown markings. forewing tip. Below
Underside is yellow- the patch is an orange
orange with blurry red- marking with a white
orange markings. spot. Underside of
hindwing has two large
eyespots.
Photo by Alan Wight Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
65 66
Satyr Comma/Satyr Anglewing California Tortoiseshell
Polygonia satyrus Nymphalis californica

Size: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches Size: 1 1/4 - 2 3/4 inches

Flight Time: Feb-Sept Flight Time: Apr-Sept
Food Plants: stinging Food Plants: Ceanothus
nettle (wild lilac)

Conspicuous wing Jagged wing edges.

edges. Golden-orange Orange-brown with
with black patches and dark wing borders and
a dark border on the large black patches
forewing. Underside on the edge of the
resembles a dead leaf front wing. Underside
when wings are closed. resembles a dead leaf
and has dark wing
bases.
Photo copyright Michelle Brodie Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
67 68

Gabb’s Checkerspot California Sister

Chlosyne gabbii Adelpha bredowii californica
Size: 2 1/2 - 4 inches
Size: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches
Flight Time: Mar-Oct
Flight Time: Mar-July
Food Plants: oaks
Food Plants: wooly
aster, telegraph weed,
Upperside is brown-
other asters
black with large,
orange patches near the
Upperside has an
brown-black wing tips.
orange-brown and
A white band of spots
black checkered
spans the forewing to
pattern. The median
the hindwing on either
band is slightly lighter
side. Underside has
in color. The underside
blue bands near the
of the hindwing has
base and the hindwing
pearl-white spots.
margin.
Used with permission of www.laspilitas.com
69 70
Lorquin’s Admiral
“California” Common Ringlet
Limenitis lorquini
Coenonympha tullia california

Size: 2 - 2 5/8 inches

Flight Time: Apr-Oct Size: 1 1/3 - 1 1/2 inches
Food Plants: willows Flight Time: Feb-Sept
Food Plants: bunch
Upperside is black- grasses
brown with white
median bands on Cream and beige
forewing and hindwing. pattern with tiny black
The most distiguishable dots on the wings.
characteristic from the Underside of hindwing
California Sister is the is an ashy-moss coloring
orange wing tips. with a wavy, white
median line.

Photo by Jonathan Wright

71 72

Great Basin Wood Nymph Monarch

Cercyonis sthenele silvestris Danaus plexippus
Size: 1 3/8 - 1 3/4 inch
Flight Time: May-Aug Size: 3 3/8 - 4 7/8 inches
Food Plants: bunch grasses Flight Time: year-round
Food Plants: milkweed
Brown upperside with two
eyespots - they are small Upperside bright
in males, larger in females. orange with black veins
Eyespots are equidistant and wide, black borders.
to the outer edge of the Upperside of female has
wing. On the underside of blurred black veins and
the hind wing, an irregular is more orange-brown.
dark line separates the White spots are found
lighter, outer half from the on the borders and the
darker, basal half. apex.
Photo by Sally King
73 74
Queen
Danaus gilippus

Size: 2 5/8 - 3 7/8 inches

Flight Time: Mar-Nov
Food Plants: milkweed

Upperside is chesnut
brown with black
borders. There are two
rows of white dots on
the forewing borders.
Underside of hindwing
has black veins. Both
wings have black
borders with two rows
of white dots.
Photo by Sally King
75 76

Skippers
Hesperiidae
Subfamily Common Name Subfamily Scientific Name

Spread-wing Skippers Pyrginae 77

Grass Skippers Hesperiinae 82

Unlike the other families who are all members of the

Superfamily Papilionoidea, Skippers are members of the
Superfamily Hesperoidea. Skippers are medium to small in
size. Though a few have iridescent colors, most are orange,
brown, black, white, or gray. Species from this family are
easily identifiable by their large eyes, stout bodies, and short
antennae that are often shaped like hooked clubs.
77 78

Northern White Skipper Mournful Duskywing

Heliopetes ericetorum Erynnis tristis

Size: 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inches

Flight Time: Feb-Oct Size: 1 1/4 - 1 15/16 inches
Food Plants: mallows, Flight Time: Feb-Sept
especially bush mallow Food Plants: oaks

Upperside of males Upperside dark brown

is white with black with a lighter brown
markings at outer pattern. Hindwing has
margin. Females are white fringe. Underside
dark at the wing base is dark brown with a
and have thicker, dark line of white spots near
markings. Both have a the margin.
white underside with
beige markings.
Photo by Alan Wight Photo by Alan Wight
79 80

Funereal Duskywing White Checkered Skipper

Erynnis funeralis Pyrgus albescens

Size: 1 - 1 1/2 inches

Size: 1 5/16 - 1 3/4 inches Flight Time: Mar-Oct
Flight Time: Feb-Oct Food Plants: mallows
Food Plants: deerweed
and other pea family Upperside ranges from
blue-gray to black
Narrow, pointed with large, white spots
forewing and triangular forming a median band
hindwing. Upperside is across both wings.
black and forewing has Underside is dull white
a dull brown patch at with charcoal bands.
the cell.
Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
81 82
Propertius Duskywing Fiery Skipper
Erynnis propertius Hylephila phyleus

Size: 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inches

Flight Time: year-round
Size: 1 3/8 - 1 3/4 inches Food Plants: grasses,
Flight Time: Mar-June including crab grass
Food Plants: coast live
oak Very short antennae.
Underside of males
Upperside brown has small black spots;
with gray overscaling. underside of females
Hindwing has light light brown with pale
spots. checks. Males have
black stigma. Upperside
of females is dark
brown and orange.
Photo by Barry Breckling Photo by Alan Wight
83 84

Woodland Skipper Sandhill Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanoides Polites sabuleti
Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches Size: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches
Flight Time: July-Oct Flight Time: Apr-Sept
Food Plants: grasses, Food Plants: saltgrasses
including rye grass
Yellow-orange to brown
Upperside orange with with dark, jagged
reddish-brown markings. borders on upperside.
Males have a large black Hindwing underside
stigma; females have a black has yellow veins in a
diagonal band. Underside cobweb pattern around
ranges from red to yellow to dark chevrons. Dark
brown, and hindwing may spots at outer margin
be completely unmarked where veins end.
or have a band of cream or
Photo by Alan Wight
yellow spots. Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
85 86

Rural Skipper Umber Skipper

Ochlodes agricola Poanes melane

Size: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches

Flight Time: Apr-July Size: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches
Food Plants: grasses Flight Time: Jan-Nov
Food Plants: grasses
Upperside is yellow-
orange with black Upperside is brown with
borders and a pale spots and a golden
translucent spot near band on hindwing.
the tip of the upper Underside is brown with
wing. Underside is rust larger, lighter colored
colored. spots. Females are
lighter in color.

Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland Photo by Alan Wight

87 88

Orange Skipperling Sachem

Copaeodes aurantiaca Atalopedes campestris
Size: 1 1/4 - 1 5/8 inches
Flight Time: Apr-Nov
Food Plants: grasses
Size: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches
Flight Time: Apr-Sept Males are yellow-
Food Plants: grasses orange with a large
black stigma and brown
Both sides are orange. borders. Females are
Males have a thin, black yellow-brown to dark
stigma on the forewing brown with a square-
below the cell. Females shaped clear spot at the
may have black edging end of the forewing
on the forewing. cell. Underside of
females is brown with
white spots.
Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland Photo by Greg Lasley
89 90
Eufala Skipper Wandering Skipper
Lerodea eufala Panoquina errans

Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches Size: 1 - 1 1/4 inches

Flight Time: Jun-Nov Flight Time: July-Sept
Food Plants: grasses Food Plants: Saltgrasses

Upperside is gray Upperside is mossy-

brown with 3-5 small, brown with a row of
clear spots on the small, transparent spots
forewing. Underside on the forewing only.
is brown, with heavy, The underside of the
gray overscaling on the hindwing is brown with
hindwing. a short curve of 3-5
light spots.
Photo by Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland Photo by Dennis Walker
91 92
Index Eufala Skipper 89 Lycaena arota 28
Abaeis nicippe 21 Celastrina ladon 45 Euphilotes benardino 41 Lycaena gorgon 27
Acmon Blue 42 Ceraunus Blue 46 Euphydryas chalcedona 57 Marine Blue 40
Adelpha bredowii californica 68 Cercyonis sthenele silvestris 71 Fatal Metalmark 51 Monarch 72
Agraulis vanillae 55 Chalcedon Checkerspot 57 Fiery Skipper 82 Mormon Metalmark 52
Alfalfa Sulphur 19 Checkered White 16 Funereal Duskywing 79 Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak 36
American Lady 64 Chlosyne gabii 67 Gabb’s Checkerspot 67 Mournful Duskywing 78
Anise Swallowtail 10 Cloudless Sulphur 23 Giant Swallowtail 12 Mourning Cloak 60
Anthocharis sara 17 Coastal Green Hairstreak Glaucopsyche lygdamus 43 Mylitta Crescent 63
Apodemia mormo 52 (see Bramble Hairstreak) Gold-Hunters Hairstreak 37 Nathalis iole 22
Atalopedes campestris 88 Coenonympha tullia california 70 Gorgon Copper 27 Northern White Skipper 77
Atlides halesus 34 Colias eurytheme 19 Gray Hairstreak 29 Nymphalis antiopa 60
Becker’s White 18 Colias harfordii 20 Great Basin Wood Nymph 71 Nymphalis californica 66
Bramble Hairstreak 32 Common Buckeye 59 Great Purple Hairstreak 34 Ochlodes agricola 85
Bernardino Dotted Blue 41 “Comstock’s” Callippe Fritillary 56 Gulf Fritillary 55 Ochlodes sylvanoides 83
Brephidium exilis 39 Copaeodes aurantiaca 87 Harford’s Sulphur 20 Orange Skipperling 87
Brown Elfin 33 Cupido amyntula 44 Hedgerow Hairstreak 31 Orange Sulphur 19
Cabbage White 15 Dainty Sulphur 22 Heliopetes ericetorum 77 Painted Lady 58
Calephelis nemesis 51 Danaus gilippus 73 Hemiargus ceraunus 46 Pale Swallowtail 11
“California” Common Ringlet 70 Danaus plexippus 72 Hylephila phyleus 82 Panoquina errans 90
California Dogface 24 Dusky Metalmark 51 Junonia coenia 59 Papilio cresphontes 12
California Hairstreak 35 Dwarf Yellow Leptotes marina 40 Papilio eurymedon 11
California Sister 68 (see Dainty Sulphur) Lerodea eufala 89 Papilio rutulus 9
California Tortoiseshell 66 Erynnis funeralis 79 Limenitis lorquini 69 Papilio zelicaon 10
Callophrys augustinus 33 Erynnis propertius 81 Lorquin’s Admiral 69 Perplexing Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum 32 Erynnis tristis 78 (see Bramble Hairstreak)
93 94
Philotes sonorensis 47 Satyrium tetra 36 This guide was compiled and published by:
Phoebis sennae 23 Silvery Blue 43
Phyciodes mylitta 63 Sleepy Orange 21 Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Pieris rapae 15 Sonoran Blue 47 National Park Service
Plebejus acmon 42 Speyeria callippe comstocki 56
Poanes melane 86 Spring Azure 45
401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Polites sabuleti 84 Strymon melinus 29 Telephone: (805) 370-2300
Polygonia satyrus 65 Sylvan Hairstreak 30
Tailed Copper 28
Website: www.nps.gov/samo
Pontia beckerii 18
Pontia protodice 16 Thistle Crescent 63
Propertius Duskywing 81 Umber Skipper 86 Created by Abigail Palace. Published Aug. 2011.
Pyrgus albescens 80 Vanessa annabella 61
Queen 73 Vanessa atalanta 62
Red Admiral 62 Vanessa cardui 58 SMMNRA would like to give special thanks to Dr. James Hogue of California
Rural Skipper 85 Vanessa virginiensis 64
Sachem 88 Variable Checkerspot 57
State University, Northridge. SMMNRA also thanks the many photographers and
Sandhill Skipper 84 Wandering Skipper 90 organizations for granting permission to use their photos in this guide.
Santa Monica Mountains Hairstreak 38 West Coast Lady 61
Sara Orangetip 17 Western Elfin
Satyr Anglewing 65 (see Brown Elfin) Identification information courtesy of Butterflies and Moths of North America.
Satyr Comma 65 Western Pygmy Blue 39 Species list courtesy of Fred Heath. For more information on butterflies, please
Satyrium auretorum 37 Western Tailed Blue 44
Satyrium auretorum fumosum 38 Western Tiger Swallowtail 9 visit the BAMONA website: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org.
Satyrium californica 35 White Checkered Skipper 80
Satyrium saepium 31 Woodland Skipper 83
Satyrium sylvinus 30 Zerene eurydice 24
All photos by Abigail Palace unless otherwise noted.