Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site - Thorybes

Thorybes diversus

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:07:22 +0000

One of the scarcest and least-known butterflies in California, found erratically in glades in mesic forest on the Sierran mid-West slope and (more commonly) in the Trinity Alps of northwestern California. We know extremely little of its biology. One brood, May-July. Host plants presumably Fabaceae. Because this is so similar to the relatively common, widespread Northern Cloudy-Wing, T. pylades, and overlaps it at the upper end of pylades' altitudinal taxon range, it may be overlooked regularly. Watch for it!

Thorybes mexicana nevada

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:07:21 +0000

Found on and at the margins of wet meadows at and above Lang, extending above tree-line. Males may hilltop, and also puddle. Numbers of this species vary greatly among years; occasionally very common, usually not. It sits with the wings mostly or fully opened. Visits clovers, vetches, and Pink Pussy Paws eagerly. One brood, May-July; hosts clovers (Trifolium).

Thorybes pylades

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:07:20 +0000

A generally uncommon skipper of canyon-riparian and mesic habitats, from the foothills to 5000'. It sits with the wings only partly open, unlike most of its relatives. A strong flier but regularly seen at flowers, including Dogbane, Yerba Santa, Brodieas, California Buckeye, and Vetches; not much of a puddler. One brood in late spring (mid March-July, depending on altitude). Host plants: Fabaceae, especially the robust perennial Lotus crassifolius; native Lathyrus; Psoralea; possibly on Astragalus, but not recorded in our area. This species was briefly eradicated from Gates Canyon by a fire in its only known breeding locality there, but recolonized from nearby.