California Patch butterfly
Chlosyne californica
insectView on iNaturalist
Orange and black checkered butterfly with bold black patches. Bay Area native whose caterpillars feed on native thistles; important wildflower pollinator.
Plants that support California Patch butterfly
4 plants
Apache-beads
Anemopsis californica
perennial herb
Early season larval host in California wetlands
Bay Area native
Birch-leaf Mountain-mahogany
Cercocarpus betuloides var. betuloides
tree
Host plant for caterpillars; adults present spring through fall
Bay Area native
Whispering-bells
Emmenanthe penduliflora var. penduliflora
annual
caterpillar host plant during spring growing season
Bay Area native