Silverado Canyon, Orange County, CA. Photo copyright Peter J. Bryant (pjbryant@uci.edu). Contact for originals.

Characteristics: A small cream or yellowish-brown butterfly. Forewing length: 14-18 mm.

Similar Species: Due to its white coloration, this butterfly might be mistaken for a "white" (family Pieridae). However, the forewing length of the California Ringlet is much shorter than that of our two Pieris residents.

Habitats, Behavior: A weak flyer, usually found fluttering in grassy areas.

Distribution: This species is common in many areas of Orange County. Specific locations are Fullerton, Irvine Park, Villa Park Dam, the E1 Modena area, the low elevations of the Santa Ana Mountains, Ortega Highway, down to coastal regions (Corona del Mar, Laguna Canyon, Upper Newport Bay). I expect the butterfly to occur as commonly in the Brea Canyon area, although as yet, no records have been obtained.

Flight Periods: There are three broods per season. The butterfly is usually on the wing from March to August.

Larval Foodplants: Grasses, native and introduced, are utilized. The actual species, unfortunately, have not yet been determined.

Other Records: The summer brood is easily distinguished from the spring generation by the tan and yellowish coloration; (earlier broods have a white appearance). This summer brood is known as form "galactina" Boisduval (no longer a valid taxonomic designation). Ron Vanderhoff mentions first taking form "galactina" in 1975 on June 16. This is usually when the summer form first begins to appear.

From Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Orange County, California. Center for Pathobiology Miscellaneous Publication #3. University of California Press, New York. 349pp.