Chlosyne californica

California Patch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Chlosyne
Species: C. californica
Binomial name
Chlosyne californica
(W. G. Wright, 1905)
Synonyms
  • Synchloe californica Wright, 1905
  • Chlosyne california ab. chinoi Gunder, 1924

The California Patch (Chlosyne californica) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family found in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. It lives in desert washes and canyons in regions between Southern Nevada south to southwestern Arizona, southeastern California, Baja California and Sonora.[1]

The wingspan is 1 1/4 - 2 inches (32–51 mm). Adults upper side is black with a wide orange median band and large orange submarginal spots. Underside of the hindwing has a red spot near the abdomen which blends into the median band.[1] Adults feed on flower nectar.

The larvae feed on Parish goldeneye (Bahiopsis parishii) and occasionally on Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus).[2]

Bibliography[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Attributes of Chlosyne californica". butterfliesandmoths.org. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Chlosyne californica (W. G. Wright, 1905) (California Patch)". Butterflies of America. Retrieved 19 May 2014.