National Park Service Presidio Insects U.S. Department of the Interior Presidio of San Francisco Golden Gate and their plant hosts National Recreation Area

Take a little time to slow down and take a closer look bay, to rocky and sandy shoreline, to tidal marshes, at the plants in the natural areas of the Presidio. Not coastal scrub, grasslands, mixed woodlands and only will you better appreciate the intricate beauty ornamental areas—provide vital food and shelter to a and variety of the native plants that grow here, but great diversity of insects. In particular, bee diversity is you also will become aware that they host a whole very high at the Presidio, with 60 species identified in other microcosm, a myriad of insects for which the a recent study. These bees, as well as the many types Presidio is their world. And the wide variety of of flies found here provide a critical role in pollinating habitats found here—from open water and protected our native plants.

Butterflies Butterflies are a favorite of the insect world for their mean extinction of species. In 1942, the world's last beauty and lively grace. The adults may collect nectar Xerces blue butterfly flew at the Presidio. This was the and pollinate a wide variety of plants, whereas the larval first documented butterfly extinction due to human caterpillars tend to feed on specific kinds host plants. impact in North America, and it inspired the founding Habitat reduction and eradication of host plants can of the Xerces Society to promote insect conservation. Cabbage White Orange Sulphur (Pieris rapae) (Colias eurytheme) Introduced to eastern Canada This widespread species prefers in the 1860s, this species is now open habitats. Members of the pea found across the U. S. Host plants family, such as the vetch it is sitting are members of the mustard family. on here, are its hosts.

Gray Hairstreak Acmon Blue (Strymon melinus) (Icaricia acmon) This widespread species is often This West Coast blue has orange found in sunny scrub areas. Host on both the top and bottom of its plants it prefers are members of the wings. Its caterpillars eat the leaves pea and mallow families. of buckwheats and lupines.

Field Crescent Red Admiral (Phycoides ptratensis) (Vanessa atalanta) This western species frequents This widespread species frequents open areas, often near streams. riparian areas near streams and Its main host plants are asters and marshes. Its preferred host is tansy asters. nettle.

West Coast Lady Common Buckeye (Vanessa annabella) (Junonia coenia) This western species likes open This widespread species is found in areas and is very common in sunny open areas. It has many plant lowland areas of California. Its hosts including plantain, owl's main host is mallow. clover, monkey flower, and toadflax.

Monarch Fiery Skipper (Danaus plexippus) (Hylephila phyleus) This widespread species is known This widespread species likes open, for long migrations. West Coast sunny areas. Its hosts are grasses. members overwinter in coastal This one is nectaring on endangered California, including at the San Francisco lessingia, providing Presidio. Milkweeds are its hosts. pollination for this rare plant.

09/06 Bees and Wasps Bees and wasps get a bad reputation because of their plant to plant as they feed. The Presidio's native plants sting, but they can actually be quite beautiful if one and bees thus live in close harmony. Our sand dunes and takes a closer look. They also are critical to the success sandy soils also provide important nesting sites for many and survival of many plants by carrying pollen from of these species adapted to burrowing in soft ground. Thread-wasted Wasp Sand Wasp (Ammophila sp.) (Bembix sp.) Adults of this solitary wasp like The adults of this wasp feed on flower pollen. Females dig nests in nectar. Females dig nests in the sand the sand where they provision their and provision them with flies that larvae with caterpillars to eat. they paralyze with their sting.

Burrowing Wasp Green Sweat Bee (Philanthus sp.) (Agapostemon texana) Females of this brightly striped Females of this species are metal- wasp provision their nests in the lic green, while males have metallic sand with other wasps and bees. green thoraxes and yellow and black striped abdomens.

Wool Carder Bee Digger Bee (Anthidium palliventre) (Anthophora urbana) This species gathers plant hairs from These flower-loving bees nest in coast buckwheat to line its nests. colonies in the ground and provision Females provision the nests with their nests with a mixture of pollen pollen and nectar from phacelia and nectar. (shown in photo) and lupine. Bumble Bee Honey Bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) (Apis mellifera) This native social bee is the Presidio's This social species was imported most common bumble bee. Queens from Europe. It is important in the build nests in the ground, where pollination of crops and the pro- they lay eggs in wax pots and fill duction of honey. Wild swarms may them with pollen and nectar. occur near "domesticated" hives.

Flies and More The Presidio is home to a variety of flies and other insects. areas. Both the adults and young are fierce carnivores Many of the flies are hoverflies that imitate bees and act of other insects. You also may encounter a number of as pollinators as well. Other common insects include beetles on the Presidio. Some of these were introduced several kinds dragonflies that frequent riparian and lawn to North America to control pest plants and insects. Drone Fly Bee Fly (Family Syrphidae) (Family Bombylidae) This hoverfly mimics the honey Not a true hoverfly, the shape of bee (both imported from Europe) in this fly also mimics bees. Adults appearance and action. It prefers to feed on nectar and pollen, but its nectar on flowers of the daisy family. larvae parasitize other insect larvae.

Darner Vivid Dancer (Aeshna sp.) (Argia vivida) Adults of this dragonfly feed on This type of damselfly is found at flying insects. The young eat aquatic Lobos Creek, where its young feed invertebrates and even small fish. on invertebrates, and adults feed This female is laying her eggs into on aphids, leafhoppers and other water plants. small insects. 7-Spotted Lady Beetle Leaf Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) (Chrysolina sp.) This species of lady beetle was This group of beetles has evolved a introduced from Europe to control preference to eat specific types of aphids, which are its preferred diet. plants. This European species was There also are native species here. introduced to control weeds.

Thanks to John Hafernik (SFSU) for identifications, facts and review Visit one of the Presidio's many restored habitat areas to see the greatest variety of insects. All photos taken at the Please stay on the established trails. Call 415-561-4323 for more information on places to go. Presidio by Will Elder

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