California ringlet butterfly
Coenonympha california
CA: Threatened
California state threatened species
Small brown butterfly with orange-ringed eyespots on hindwings. Caterpillars feed on native grasses in coastal sage habitat. Presence indicates healthy native grassland areas in Bay Area gardens.
Plants that support California ringlet butterfly
25 plants
Blow wives
Achyrachaena mollis
annual
larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage during spring months
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus
shrub
larval host plant, multiple broods May-September
Butterfly Mariposa Lily
Calochortus venustus
geophyte
Nectar foraging during flight season
California Hoptree
Ptelea crenulata
shrub
Larval food plant for coastal California populations
California goldfields
Lasthenia californica
annual
Nectar source during spring flight season
Common Meadow foam
Limnanthes douglasii
annual
Spring nectar source during flight season
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Adult nectar foraging Jun-Sep
Cupido Mariposa Lily
Calochortus uniflorus
perennial herb
caterpillars utilize foliage for development in spring
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
spring adult nectar foraging
Glandular Layia
Layia glandulosa
perennial herb
Early spring larval development on emerging plant growth
Goldeneggs
Taraxia ovata
perennial herb
Endemic California species dependent on native host plants
Hayfield Tarweed
Hemizonia congesta subsp. lutescens
annual
Endemic California species utilizing native plant nectar
Jeweled Onion
Allium serra
geophyte
caterpillar development on plant foliage in spring
Kellogg's Yampah
Perideridia kelloggii
perennial herb
Adult feeding on flowering plants; peak activity Apr-Jul
Menzies' fiddleneck
Amsinckia intermedia
annual
Caterpillars develop on host plant during spring and summer months
Mock Heather
Ericameria ericoides
perennial herb
Larvae feed on foliage during spring emergence
Naked Buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum
perennial herb
Larvae feed on developing inflorescences; June-August broods
Seep Monkeyflower
Erythranthe guttata
annual
Grassland butterfly utilizing nectar in riparian seep habitat
Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
annual
Adult nectar forager; prefers open grassland populations
Small Baby Blue Eyes
Nemophila heterophylla
annual
caterpillar development on foliage during spring blooms
Soap Plant
Chlorogalum pomeridianum
geophyte
Nectar source during late spring-summer flight period
Western Buttercup
Ranunculus occidentalis
perennial herb
Larval food plant for this endemic California butterfly species
