Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Lycaenidae

     Callophrys mossi
     Moss' Elfin
upperside
underside

Size: wingspread .9-1.1 in.
Recognition: Variable; golden brown fading to gray-brown near body; black wing edges; underside is similar to upper, but may have white line through wings; also underside color can range from red-brown, or gray-brown to purplish brown.
Flight period: Spring: March until June.
Hostplants: Various species in Crassulaceae such as dudleya and stonecrop ( Sedum species).
Habitat: Rocky, moss-covered slopes and steep canyons.
Distribution: Found sparingly, and in very localized populations from British Columbia south to southern California. If present in Santa Barbara County, it would be found in the deeper, backcounty mountains.
Other: An endangered subspecies, the San Bruno Elfin (Callophrys mossii bayensis) is found only in the San Bruno Mountains of San Mateo County.

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