California Hairstreak
Common NameCalifornia Hairstreak
Scientific NameSatyrium californica
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyTheclinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, white
HabitatChaparral, oak woodlands, canyons, foothills
Geographic RangeCalifornia, southern Oregon, western Nevada
Host PlantsQuercus chrysolepis, Quercus wislizeni, Quercus kelloggii
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on oak twigs. Larvae feed on oak leaves, pupation occurs near the host plant, and adults emerge in late spring to early summer.
Identification TipsKey features include the grayish-brown underside with a distinct, broken white-edged black spot band and two small tails on each hindwing, often with orange markings near the tails.
Description
A small butterfly with dark brown uppersides and grayish-brown undersides featuring a broken white-lined black spot band and orange patches near the hindwing tails.
