Fauna
Insect

California Dogface

Zerene eurydice

Also known as California Dogface Butterfly

The California Dogface is a yellow butterfly whose dark forewing pattern can resemble a dog's profile, most clearly in males. Fast, restless flight carries it through open slopes where adults visit flowers and larvae use false indigo shrubs.

State InsectFast-flying ButterflyShrubland Pollinator
California Dogface reference
License Holder: Unspecified; likely: Colorado State University / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAdults drink flower nectar; caterpillars feed mainly on false indigo foliage
Predators
  • Birds
  • Spiders
  • Praying mantises
ThreatsHabitat conversion, loss of host plants, pesticide use, drought, and invasive vegetation
HabitatsFoothill woodland, chaparral openings, stream canyons, grassland edges, and gardens
Life spanAdults live for weeks; the full life cycle is completed within a season
Classification
  1. FamilyPieridae
  2. SpeciesZerene eurydice
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Observe without netting butterflies or trampling their host shrubs.
Responsible observation
  • Look: Watch sunlit openings for a rapid yellow butterfly.
  • Identify: Seek the dark forewing silhouette and orange-yellow male wings.
  • Plants: Observe false indigo without disturbing eggs or caterpillars.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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