|
Fatal Metalmark (Dusky Metalmark) Calephelis nemesis Lepidoptera: Riodinidae Back to Butterflies of Orange County, California |
Barbara's Lake, LCW, 9-13-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
Peter's Canyon, Orange, Orange County, CA. 10/15/05. © Peter J. Bryant |
|
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. Marsh 7-21-09. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 9-13-08. © Ron Hemberger |
Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, CA. 10-5-08. © Ron Hemberger |
Peters Canyon, Orange, Orange County, CA. 7-13-09. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. Marsh 7-21-09. © Ron Hemberger |
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, Irvine, Orange County, CA. Marsh 7-21-09. © Ron Hemberger |
|
Characteristics: A small butterfly. DW surfaces are a pale chocolate-brown with a dark brown irregular band crossing the wings. Forewing length: 11-12 mm. Similar Species: Calephelis wrighti. (See text of wrighti for distinguishing characteristics). Habitats, Behavior: The Dusky Metalmark is usually encountered on flowers of Baccharis glutinosa (Mule Fat), which grows along water courses. A small, easily overlooked butterfly, it is rarely seen. Distribution: The type locality of this metalmark subspecies is Flight Period: Emmel and Emmel (1973) list the flight period as February to early October, probably involving three broods near the coast. Only the summer brood seems to occur with any abundance in this area. John McBurney ( Larval Foodplant: Encelia californica (Bush Sunflower) and Baccharis glutinosa- (Mule Fat) are recorded, both of which are found in Other Remarks: Theodore Hower mentions taking 3-4 in a day from the From Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Return to Butterflies and their larval foodplants |