California Sister Butterfly

I have lamented before my lack of entomological knowledge.  Yet, armed with field guides, binoculars, a hand lens and the trusty internet, I slog on in my attempt to learn more about the fascinating world of insects.  Perhaps most interesting to me (and every other nature-loving child or adult, I imagine) are butterflies, if for no other reason than that they are often the most conspicuous!  (I also love finding other lepidopterans - namely moths - as well as dragonflies and damselflies.)


An abundance of butterflies seem to be out and about in our local wild lands this time of year.  I'm working on honing my butterfly identification skills (though personally, I find them even more difficult and flighty than warblers!) 

An easy butterfly to start with is the California Sister (Adelpha bredowii californica).  They are frequently seen in California's foothills and at mid-elevations in the mountains, most frequently in oak woodlands and mixed coniferous forests.  Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the larval host plant for California Sisters, meaning the larvae feed exclusively on native oaks.  (You begin to see the great value in preserving and planting California native plant species!)  Adults feed on rotting fruit and sometimes flowers, and can be found sipping at mud puddles, an act known as "puddling."  Essential minerals and amino acids are derived from the mud.

 
Many butterflies have surprisingly short lifespans; some species don't even feed as adults, but reproduce immediately and then die.  The lifespan of an adult California Sister is about one month long.  California Sisters are active from spring to fall; during one season there are two generations, or broods, of butterflies.  This means that this particular species goes through the whole reproductive cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult) twice during the season (spring to fall).  (Monarch butterflies go through this process four times during one season.)  The first generation emerges in the spring, reproduces and dies; the second generation then reproduces in the summer or fall and dies, leaving its offspring to overwinter as larvae and emerge in the spring as the first generation of the following season. 
 
 
If you too are interested in learning more about the butterflies of California and the rest of North America, I can recommend two resources I have found particularly helpful.  (I'm sure there are many more than just two good ones out there, however!)
 
Field Guide:  Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America
 
Website:  butterfliesandmoths.org 
 
For a more in-depth look at the California Sister, check out Kate Marianchild's beautiful book, "Secrets of the Oak Woodlands" (a favorite of mine!)

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