Myrtle's Silverspot
Speyeria mormonia
insectView on iNaturalist
CA: Endangered, CA Special Concern
California endemic, limited to coastal scrub habitat in San Mateo County
Small orange butterfly with silver-spotted hindwings. Caterpillars feed exclusively on native violets in serpentine meadows; rare Bay Area endemic.
Plants that support Myrtle's Silverspot
3 plants
Bigelow's Sneezeweed
Helenium bigelovii
perennial herb
Larval host during main flight period May-August
Bay Area native
Blue Violet
Viola adunca
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on violet leaves in spring after overwintering
Bay Area native
Leafy Aster
Symphyotrichum foliaceum
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on aster species during larval development
Bay Area native