Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site - Incisalia

Incisalia augustinus iroides

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:08:52 +0000

Found from sea level to tree-line in a great variety of habitats; often common. An early-spring species, probably single-brooded but with hints of a second generation at the lowest elevations (which might be due to staggered emergence on different slopes). Males are territorial perchers. Both sexes visit flowers, including those of Redbud early in the season and Yerba Santa later. There is so much variation in habitat, host-plant association, and ventral color and pattern that this may actually be more than one biological species; it is by no means clear that it (or some components of "it") is actually conspecific with the eastern I. augustinus. Host plants include Dodder (Cuscuta)(!), Soap Plant or Amole (Chlorogalum, Liliaceae!), and flower buds or young fruit of Ceanothus and Arctostaphylos species - a bizarre mix indeed, though there is nothing to suggest any local population uses more than one of them. Late January or February to July, depending on locality.

Incisalia eryphon

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:08:51 +0000

Common at all the Sierran West slope sites. It has clearly moved upslope onto Castle Peak during the term of this study. Males perch around waist height on vegetation along roads and trails and in clearings, and are territorial.. Both sexes visit Ceanothus and other spring flowers, but seldom at ground level. One brood in mid-spring, May-June at Washington, June-July at Donner and Castle Peak. The hosts are "hard" pines (Ponderosa, Jeffrey and Lodgepole, in our area; most common where Lodgepole is dominant).

Incisalia mossii

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:08:50 +0000

Although this species has been divided into several subspecies, some with very small ranges, all our populations are considered subspecies windi. One of our earliest-flying species - generally only 2-3 weeks after snowmelt - and therefore very easy to miss. Although it does occur in the Coast Range near Lake Berryessa, it is unrecorded at Gates Canyon. In the Sierra it occurs at Washington, Lang Crossing, and Donner. At lower elevations (5000' and below) usually found on cool, damp north-facing cliffs with mats of Sedum, the host plant. Commonly the males perch on trees or shrubs in the sun on the opposite, south-facing side of the canyon! At Donner found at the east end of the pass in granite rock gardens near the Donner Lake overlook, where Sedum grows in the cracks; the males perch on Huckleberry Oak. March-April (Washington) to June (Donner). Absent from Castle Peak, where the alpine zone is all volcanic and there is no Sedum. (A different Sedum grows on mudflows at Carson Pass.) Usually the larvae are easier to find than the adults; they are usually purplish-red and stand out when feeding on the yellow Sedum flowers.