Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Riodinidae

     Calephelis nemesis
     Fatal Metalmark


upperside
underside

Size: Wingspread 0.75-1 in.
Recognition: Upperside dark brown, with irregular darker bands radiating out from center; underside lighter golden brown, with fine dark bands, and dark spots along wing edges.
Flight period: Adults may be seen at almost any time of the year in coastal areas.
Hostplants: Larvae of the Fatal Metalmark feed on seepwillow (Baccharis) virgin's bower (Clematis), and brittlebush (Encelia).
Habitat: Found in a variety of drier open habitats, including chaparral, fields, and roadsides.
Distribution: The Fatal Metalmark ranges from southern California east to Texas and south into Mexico.

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