New Butterfly Spotted!

Always keep your eyes peeled on the Trail! We just spotted--for the first time--a new butterfly, the Common Buckeye. And unlike the name, it is not so common. (Photo is of the Buckeye on a Santa Cruz Island buckwheat plant.)

"This butterfly is becoming more scarce in lowland Orange County with the destruction of suitable habitats." according to UCI's Natural History of Orange County site, run by biologist Peter Bryant. http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/lepidopt/nymph/buckeye.htm

The Common Buckeye is found in OC lowland areas, and occasionally vacant lots, according to Dr. Bryant. While we don't consider The Monarch Nature Trail a "vacant lot," we won't complain about the Common Buckeye paying a visit!!