The East Bay Regional Parks provide a refuge for for refuge a provide Parks Regional Bay East The you to come enjoy these fascinating creatures. fascinating these enjoy come to you
any of the Regional Parks, but we encourage encourage we but Parks, Regional the of any
become extinct. Others are threatened. are Others extinct. become
from puddles. from
D in in D TE T MI collecting is NOT PER NOT is collecting Remember:
and complex. Some Bay Area species have already already have species Area Bay Some complex. and flowers or water water or flowers
elevations. The reasons for this decline are puzzling puzzling are decline this for reasons The elevations. represent a small part of this amazing diversity. diversity. amazing this of part small a represent sipping nectar from from nectar sipping
years in butterfly populations, particularly at lower lower at particularly populations, butterfly in years ure ch bro this in listed butterflies The You may spot them them spot may You
There has been a noticeable decline in recent recent in decline noticeable a been has There fe species. species. fe li wild other and flies ter but
mate. mate.
Photo: Don Jedlovec and other insects. other and
Protecting Butterflies Protecting what it does best: best: does it what
mammals, reptiles, reptiles, mammals,
is equipped to do do to equipped is
y of birds, birds, of y et ri va wide a
it emerges, y er but fl t
and are a food source for for source food a are and
4. 4. DULT A —When a a —When
ors of many plants plants many of ors t a n i l pol
THORAX ABDOMEN butterflies are also important important also are butterflies
elegant butterfly. butterfly. elegant
Not only beautiful to look at, at, look to beautiful only Not
transforms into an an into transforms
93 different kinds of butterflies. of kinds different 93 a chrysalis and then then and chrysalis a
Costa counties are home to at least least at to home are counties Costa caterpillar becomes becomes caterpillar
of the same species. Alameda and Contra Contra and Alameda species. same the of pupa stage, the the stage, pupa
defend, camouflage, and iden and camouflage, defend, her butterflies butterflies her ot fy ti 3. 3. UPA P —In the the —In
into countless color patterns that serve to warn, warn, to serve that patterns color countless into
nged nged ra ar become have scales these time, Through
original size! original
length, 13 times its its times 13 length,
to over 5 inches in in inches 5 over to
from 3/8 of an inch inch an of 3/8 from
eaters may grow grow may eaters
In several weeks, one of these voracious plant- voracious these of one weeks, several In
ATERPILLARS C 2. (larvae) are eating machines. machines. eating are (larvae)
ANTENNAE HEAD
is LEP is PTERA, which means “scaly wings.” “scaly means which PTERA, DO I
scales. Thus, the Latin name for butterflies and moths moths and butterflies for name Latin the Thus, scales. females miles away! miles females
“dust” which covers them is ac is them covers which “dust” housands of tiny tiny of housands t ly al tu Some male moths can smell smell can moths male Some antennae are never clubbed. never are antennae
from all other insects is their beautiful wings. The The wings. beautiful their is insects other all from to increase their surface area. area. surface their increase to Moth e. na ten an clubbed thin, have
The one thing that sets butterflies and moths apart apart moths and butterflies sets that thing one The Moth Butterflies antennae are often feathery, feathery, often are antennae and sight on mostly rely pads on her feet. her on pads
A Coat of Many Colors Many of Coat A female but female tastes” the plant with special special with plant the tastes” “ fly r te
which the caterpillar will eat. Before laying, the the laying, Before eat. will caterpillar the which
during the day use their antennae to smell traces traces smell to antennae their use day the during butterfly from a moth is by comparing their antennae. their comparing by is moth a from butterfly
1. 1. GGS E are laid on the leaves of a host plant plant host a of leaves the on laid are
night comes, moths who have re have who moths comes, night ined hidden hidden ined ma for smelling and tasting. The best way to distinguish a a distinguish to way best The tasting. and smelling for
distinct stages, each designed for a specific purpose. specific a for designed each stages, distinct When other. each and food find to eyes compound people call “feelers,” are actually specialized organs organs specialized actually are “feelers,” call people
In its lifetime, a butterfly will go through four four through go will butterfly a lifetime, its In large, and colors bright their use butterflies day, By of food and to find mates. Antennae, which many many which Antennae, mates. find to and food of
intricately woven into nature’s web of life. of web nature’s into woven intricately
L
uc-hne Art Quick-Change Day and Night as Different As sts i
Parks. They are finely adapted creatures, creatures, adapted finely are They Parks.
butterflies grace the skies of our Regional Regional our of skies the grace butterflies
Butterflies as as Butterflies Moths: and Butterflies
ike living flowers, living ike brightly colored colored brightly
These butterflies soar on powerful wings Large Butterflies which span 2 1/2 to 4 inches (6-10 cm). Common Butterflies in the East Bay Pale Swallowtail Regional Park District Monarch 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605 Danaus plexippus Papilio eurymedon 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (TRS 711) This butterfly is famous for its long migrations. In Males of many species of swallowtail patrol around ebparks.org fall, look for adults flying to coastal roosting spots, hilltops waiting for females. These butterflies prefer such as Ardenwood Historic Farm and Point Pinole sipping nectar from buckeye flowers. Regional Shoreline, where they may congregate until Host plants: Various members of the buckthorn and Visitor Centers spring. The caterpillars feed on milkweed, which rose families, such as California lilacs and ocean spray. Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont makes them poisonous to birds. 510-544-2797, [email protected] Host plants: milkweed. Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta 510-544-3050, [email protected] Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch 510-544-2750, [email protected] Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont 510-544-3220, [email protected] Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium 510-544-3187, [email protected] Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore 510-544-3146, [email protected] Open summer weekends Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, Hayward 510-544-3220 (Coyote Hills), [email protected] Photo: Eric Nicholas Eric Photo: Open summer weekends Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol 510-544-3249, [email protected] Open weekends only Pipevine Swallowtail Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Botanic Garden: 510-544-3169, [email protected] Battus philenor Tilden Nature Area/Environmental Education Center The larvae of this brilliant black and blue butterfly 510-544-2233, [email protected] feed on Dutchman’s pipe. This host plant contains chemicals that make the adult poisonous to birds. Regional Parks Membership A bright patch of shiny blue-green scales warns enjoy free day-use parking, swimming, them not to eat this shimmering beauty. dog pass, and more. 510-544-2220 regionalparksfoundation.org Host plants: Dutchman’s pipe.
On the cover: Gray hairstreak. Photos courtesy Jerry Ting unless otherwise noted. goes here goes here 20200324 Union Bug Soy Ink Bug Soy Photo: Ryan Leib Ryan Photo:
Common Butterflies Brochure 2020-03-24.indd 1 3/24/20 3:07 PM
The East Bay Regional Parks provide a refuge for for refuge a provide Parks Regional Bay East The you to come enjoy these fascinating creatures. fascinating these enjoy come to you
any of the Regional Parks, but we encourage encourage we but Parks, Regional the of any
become extinct. Others are threatened. are Others extinct. become
from puddles. from
D in in D TE T MI collecting is NOT PER NOT is collecting Remember:
and complex. Some Bay Area species have already already have species Area Bay Some complex. and flowers or water water or flowers
elevations. The reasons for this decline are puzzling puzzling are decline this for reasons The elevations. represent a small part of this amazing diversity. diversity. amazing this of part small a represent sipping nectar from from nectar sipping
years in butterfly populations, particularly at lower lower at particularly populations, butterfly in years ure ch bro this in listed butterflies The You may spot them them spot may You
There has been a noticeable decline in recent recent in decline noticeable a been has There fe species. species. fe li wild other and flies ter but
mate. mate.
Photo: Don Jedlovec and other insects. other and
Protecting Butterflies Protecting what it does best: best: does it what
mammals, reptiles, reptiles, mammals,
is equipped to do do to equipped is
y of birds, birds, of y et ri va wide a
it emerges, y er but fl t
and are a food source for for source food a are and
4. 4. DULT A —When a a —When
ors of many plants plants many of ors t a n i l pol
THORAX ABDOMEN butterflies are also important important also are butterflies
elegant butterfly. butterfly. elegant
Not only beautiful to look at, at, look to beautiful only Not
transforms into an an into transforms
93 different kinds of butterflies. of kinds different 93 a chrysalis and then then and chrysalis a
Costa counties are home to at least least at to home are counties Costa caterpillar becomes becomes caterpillar
of the same species. Alameda and Contra Contra and Alameda species. same the of pupa stage, the the stage, pupa
defend, camouflage, and iden and camouflage, defend, her butterflies butterflies her ot fy ti 3. 3. UPA P —In the the —In
into countless color patterns that serve to warn, warn, to serve that patterns color countless into
nged nged ra ar become have scales these time, Through
original size! original
length, 13 times its its times 13 length,
to over 5 inches in in inches 5 over to
from 3/8 of an inch inch an of 3/8 from
eaters may grow grow may eaters
In several weeks, one of these voracious plant- voracious these of one weeks, several In
ATERPILLARS C 2. (larvae) are eating machines. machines. eating are (larvae)
ANTENNAE HEAD
is LEP is PTERA, which means “scaly wings.” “scaly means which PTERA, DO I
scales. Thus, the Latin name for butterflies and moths moths and butterflies for name Latin the Thus, scales. females miles away! miles females
“dust” which covers them is ac is them covers which “dust” housands of tiny tiny of housands t ly al tu Some male moths can smell smell can moths male Some antennae are never clubbed. never are antennae
from all other insects is their beautiful wings. The The wings. beautiful their is insects other all from to increase their surface area. area. surface their increase to Moth e. na ten an clubbed thin, have
The one thing that sets butterflies and moths apart apart moths and butterflies sets that thing one The Moth Butterflies antennae are often feathery, feathery, often are antennae and sight on mostly rely pads on her feet. her on pads
A Coat of Many Colors Many of Coat A female but female tastes” the plant with special special with plant the tastes” “ fly r te
which the caterpillar will eat. Before laying, the the laying, Before eat. will caterpillar the which
during the day use their antennae to smell traces traces smell to antennae their use day the during butterfly from a moth is by comparing their antennae. their comparing by is moth a from butterfly
1. 1. GGS E are laid on the leaves of a host plant plant host a of leaves the on laid are
night comes, moths who have re have who moths comes, night ined hidden hidden ined ma for smelling and tasting. The best way to distinguish a a distinguish to way best The tasting. and smelling for
distinct stages, each designed for a specific purpose. specific a for designed each stages, distinct When other. each and food find to eyes compound people call “feelers,” are actually specialized organs organs specialized actually are “feelers,” call people
In its lifetime, a butterfly will go through four four through go will butterfly a lifetime, its In large, and colors bright their use butterflies day, By of food and to find mates. Antennae, which many many which Antennae, mates. find to and food of
intricately woven into nature’s web of life. of web nature’s into woven intricately
L
uc-hne Art Quick-Change Day and Night as Different As sts i
Parks. They are finely adapted creatures, creatures, adapted finely are They Parks.
butterflies grace the skies of our Regional Regional our of skies the grace butterflies
Butterflies as as Butterflies Moths: and Butterflies
ike living flowers, living ike brightly colored colored brightly
These butterflies soar on powerful wings Large Butterflies which span 2 1/2 to 4 inches (6-10 cm). Common Butterflies in the East Bay Pale Swallowtail Regional Park District Monarch 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605 Danaus plexippus Papilio eurymedon 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (TRS 711) This butterfly is famous for its long migrations. In Males of many species of swallowtail patrol around ebparks.org fall, look for adults flying to coastal roosting spots, hilltops waiting for females. These butterflies prefer such as Ardenwood Historic Farm and Point Pinole sipping nectar from buckeye flowers. Regional Shoreline, where they may congregate until Host plants: Various members of the buckthorn and Visitor Centers spring. The caterpillars feed on milkweed, which rose families, such as California lilacs and ocean spray. Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont makes them poisonous to birds. 510-544-2797, [email protected] Host plants: milkweed. Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta 510-544-3050, [email protected] Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch 510-544-2750, [email protected] Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont 510-544-3220, [email protected] Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium 510-544-3187, [email protected] Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore 510-544-3146, [email protected] Open summer weekends Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, Hayward 510-544-3220 (Coyote Hills), [email protected] Photo: Eric Nicholas Eric Photo: Open summer weekends Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol 510-544-3249, [email protected] Open weekends only Pipevine Swallowtail Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Botanic Garden: 510-544-3169, [email protected] Battus philenor Tilden Nature Area/Environmental Education Center The larvae of this brilliant black and blue butterfly 510-544-2233, [email protected] feed on Dutchman’s pipe. This host plant contains chemicals that make the adult poisonous to birds. Regional Parks Membership A bright patch of shiny blue-green scales warns enjoy free day-use parking, swimming, them not to eat this shimmering beauty. dog pass, and more. 510-544-2220 regionalparksfoundation.org Host plants: Dutchman’s pipe.
On the cover: Gray hairstreak. Photos courtesy Jerry Ting unless otherwise noted. goes here goes here 20200324 Union Bug Soy Ink Bug Soy Photo: Ryan Leib Ryan Photo:
Common Butterflies Brochure 2020-03-24.indd 1 3/24/20 3:07 PM Small-sized butterflies have a tiny wing- Small butterflies have a quick, Small Butterflies spans of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches (1 cm-4 cm). skipping flight.
Acmon Blue Fiery Skipper Gray Hairstreak Western Pygmy-Blue Plebejus acmon Hylephila phyleus Strymon melinus Brephidium exile When this butterfly opens its wings it reveals These bright, fat-bodied butterflies are often mis The two hairlike tails on the hind wings of these A common species throughout California except the brilliant blue which gives it its name. taken for moths. They get their name from their delicate butterflies resemble antennae. This “false in northwest counties. Found near salt marsh When closed, its wings are white with black quick, skipping flight. At rest, they hold their head” draws a predator’s attention away from the habitats. Like the acmon blue, it moves its hind and orange spots. bottom wings out flat and keep their top wings vital parts of the body, giving the butterfly a better wings while sipping nectar to draw attention at a 45 degree angle. chance to escape. to its “eye spots.” Host plants: shrubs and herbs of buckwheat and pea families. Host plants: many kinds of grass including Host plants: alfalfa, mallow, and lupine. Host plants: species of Atriplex. Bermuda grass.
Mylitta Crescent Phyciodes mylitta These butterflies are commonly seen patrolling open fields and meadows in search of mates. Medium Medium-sized Host plants: many thistles including bull, butterflies have wingspans 1 1/2 cobweb, milk, and Italian thistles. Butterflies to 2 1/2 inches (4 cm-6 cm). Photo: Ron Wolf Ron Photo: Williams Lisa Photo: Sikora Bob CalPhotos: Sikora Bob CalPhotos:
American Lady Cabbage White California Sister Vanessa virginiensis Pieris rapae Adelpha bredowii Less common than the West Coast lady, this Accidentally introduced from Europe in 1866, this butterfly is found in our coastal chaparral. This The pattern on this butterfly’s wings reminded species has spread throughout the country and early explorers of a nun’s habit. It looks much like orange and black butterfly has a white rectangle is now one of our most common butterflies. on the edge of the upper wing. the slightly smaller Lorquin’s admiral. Host plants: most members of the mustard family. canyon live oak, coast live oak, Host plants: cudweeds, pearly everlasting, Host plants: mugwort, and milk thistle. and chinquapin.
West Coast Lady Vanessa annabella Orange Sulfur Colias eurytheme This butterfly is common along trailsides and in open meadows throughout the West Coast. This yellow butterfly with orange This orange and black butterfly has an orange hues is found all over California. rectangle on the edge of the upper front wing. Often the females are white or greenish. It has become a common Host plants: cheeseweed, western hollyhocks, butterfly because it can use alfalfa lupines, and mallow. as a host plant. Host plants: alfalfa, clover, and vetch.
Common Butterflies Brochure 2020-03-24.indd 2 3/24/20 3:07 PM