Adelpha californica

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

California sister
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Adelpha
Species:
A. californica
Binomial name
Adelpha californica
(Butler, 1865)
Synonyms
  • Adelpha bredowii californica (Butler, 1865)
  • Heterochroa californica Butler, 1865
  • Heterochroa bredowii californica Butler, 1865
  • Limenitis bredowii californica (Butler, 1865)
  • Limenitis californica (Butler, 1865)

Adelpha californica, the California sister, is a

mimicry complex
.

Taxonomy

Adelpha californica is classified under the

type specimen was recovered from California.[2]

It was treated generally as a species (though it included

phylogenetic studies, however, conclude that morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence make it clear that it is a separate species.[4]

A. californica was also sometimes included in the genus Limenitis (admirals), but most modern lepidopterists classify it under the genus Adelpha.[5]

Distribution and habitat

A. californica is found in the extreme western

oak woodlands.[4]

Description

Underside of wings

The upper surfaces of the wings of A. californica are a dark brown to black. It has two large orange patches near the tip of the forewings and wide postdiscal creamy-white bands on both wings. The ventral surfaces of the wings are generally similar but with blue bands along the edges of both wings, as well as blue and orange patterns on the corners near the body.[6] Like other members of the genus, the butterfly is named "sister" for its black and white markings on the forewing that resemble a nun's habit.[7]

A. californica closely resembles A. bredowii and A. eulalia. However it generally does not share the same distribution range as the other two. A. bredowii is only found in southern and western Mexico. A. eulalia is found in Arizona and the surrounding areas, though it may sometimes be found in southeastern California.[4][6] They also differ morphologically from A. eulalia in usually being smaller and in the presence of a second orange bar in the upper proximal corner of the hindwings.[8] A. californica also closely resembles the females of some species in the genus Doxocopa. Though their distribution range also do not overlap, as Doxocopa are primarily found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.[2][4][9]

Other species which resemble A. californica (though not as closely) includes other members of the genus Adelpha, and the Lorquin's admiral (Limenitis lorquini).[9][10][11]

Ecology and life cycle

The eggs of A. californica are green. They are laid singly on tips of leaves of oak plants (genus

Quercus), on the upper surface. There are five larval instars. The first instar hatches from the egg after eleven days. It is olive green with pale flecks and a mottled light and dark brown head. It builds leaf perches from the leaf midrib, like the larvae of other members of the genus. After nine days, it molts into the second instar which is green with various shades of brown and a light brown head. After eight days it molts again into the third instar which is a pale brownish yellow covered densely in yellowish conical tubercles. It also has developing scoli (horn-like protrusions) each tipped with four to five black spines. The head is a pale green with four vertical brown stripes and also covered with tubercles. The fourth instar develops after four days and is a light reddish brown with greenish sides, yellowish tubercles, and fully developed scoli as well as new developing ones. It molts after nine days into the last instar which is olive green with brown undersides and legs, it is densely covered with yellowish tubercles (particularly at the bottom surfaces). All segments now possess scoli, some bearing white thick conical spines with black tips. The head is brown to pale brown, flattened and smooth, with a double row of long yellowish-white spines at the sides and a pair of black dorsal spines. The second to fifth instars all adopt a front-arched-rear-up posture when resting. After fourteen days, the final instar will pupate. The pupa is pale brown to pale golden yellow with streaks and patches of dark brown and metallic gold. It is attached to tree trunks by a large silken web. The adults emerge after 10 days. The total development time from egg to adult is sixty-five days.[5]

The usual

mimicry complex around it.[4]

The adults are commonly found flying near the upper branches of oak trees or perching near small streams and canyons. Males are commonly seen engaging in mud-puddling in moist ground, typically in mid-morning. Both sexes also feed on nectar from flowers (though this is rare), as well as drink from rotting fruit, sap, and animal droppings. Depending on seasonal conditions and elevation, the species produces one to three generations annually, with the adults usually flying from March through November.[4][5] Adults may sometimes last through the winter months.[6]

Conservation

The species is not considered threatened and is classified as G5 by NatureServe. It is abundant throughout its range.[6]

References

  1. ^ Markku Savela. "Adelpha Hübner, 1819". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Adelpha californica (Butler, 1865)". Butterflies of America. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  3. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1944.tb01221.x
    .
  4. ^
    doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1819.1.1
    .
  5. ^ a b c d Keith R. Willmott (2003). The Genus Adelpha: its Systematics, Biology and Biogeography (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Limenitidini) (PDF). Scientific Publishers.
  6. ^ a b c d "California Sister, Adelpha californica (Butler, 1865)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  7. ISBN 9780394519142
    .
  8. ^ Todd L. Stout. "Fundamental differences between the California Sister and the Arizona Sister". Utah Lepidopterists' Society. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  9. ^
    doi:10.1155/1984/87930
    .
  10. ^ Liza Blue. "Adelpha bredowii californica". San Diego Natural History Museum. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  11. ISBN 9780520052499
    .

External links

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