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Muir's Elfin

(c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hibbard

Muir's Elfin

Callophrys muiri

insectView on iNaturalist

CA: Endangered, CA Special Concern

California endangered species; endemic to California

Tiny bronze-green butterfly with copper underside. Caterpillars feed on native buckwheat in coastal scrub; adults blend perfectly with foliage.

Plants that support Muir's Elfin

3 plants

California Coffeeberry

Frangula californica

moderate

shrub

Spring larval host, caterpillars feed on young foliage

Bay Area native

Chaparral Pea

Pickeringia montana var. montana

critical

shrub

Spring larval host, typically monophagous on Pickeringia

Bay Area native

Interior Goldenbush

Ericameria linearifolia

high

shrub

Spring larval host plant; endemic California species

Bay Area native