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California is often called the “Golden State” because of its Gold Rush history, the golden California poppy (our state flower) which can cover the foothills and valleys in the spring months, and the golden-brown colors the state’s wild grasses become during the summer months. Many people are not aware that we have a butterfly which is also golden. . .the beautiful California dogface butterfly (Zerene eurydice). 

The California dogface butterfly is found only in California with a range between north-central California and Baja California, between the Sierra Nevada and Coast ranges. So named because of the dog-like silhouette on the male’s wings, it was designated as the state insect in 1972. It is rarely seen because it is a fast flyer that flies 10-20 feet off the ground, except when feeding on low flowers. At 0.75-1.25 inches wide, it is a small butterfly. The species is sexually dimorphic, with the male and females showing different colors and markings. The male’s forewings are yellow to pale orange color with dark purple/black along the edges; the hind wings are orange with a yellow fringe. The female’s wings are entirely yellow with a black spot on the upper wings.   

The primary source of nectar for the adults is from the mustard family (Brassicaceae). It appears to favor purple-colored flowers and is a valuable pollinator for native plants including California buckeye, thistles and blue verbena.  

The dogface butterfly caterpillar feeds primarily on the leaves of the false indigo plant (Amorpha californica), a plant that can be difficult to grow outside its native habitat. One area it can be found in is the Shutamul Bear River Preserve near Auburn, Placer County. A 40-acre preserve, part of the Placer County Trust, it is closed to the public except for specially arranged tours (see https://www.placerlandtrust.org). 

While it is likely that many of us will never see the California dogface butterfly flying about our gardens, we can appreciate that this beautiful butterfly has an unique spot in our state’s natural history.  

Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2020. 

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