Small Heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
insectView on iNaturalist
Small brown butterfly with tiny eyespots and pale underwings. Rare Bay Area resident; prefers grassy areas; important for local butterfly diversity.
Plants that support Small Heath
4 plants
Creeping Fescue
Festuca rubra
grass
Important larval host; multiple generations use Festuca rubra shoots
Bay Area native
Hair Grass*
Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. holciformis
grass
Principal larval host grass; critical for caterpillar development Apr-Jun
Bay Area native
Slender Wheatgrass
Elymus trachycaulus subsp. trachycaulus
grass
larval food plant; caterpillars feed on grass blades
Bay Area native
Spike Bent
Agrostis exarata
grass
Caterpillar host plant; larvae feed on grass blades April-June
Bay Area native