Characteristics: A small butterfly. DW surfaces are a pale chocolate-brown with a dark brown irregular band crossing the wings. Forewing length: 11-12 mm.

Similar Species: Calephelis wrighti. (See text of wrighti for distinguishing characteristics).

Habitats, Behavior: The Dusky Metalmark is usually encountered on flowers of Baccharis glutinosa (Mule Fat), which grows along water courses. A small, easily overlooked butterfly, it is rarely seen.

Distribution: The type locality of this metalmark subspecies is Gypsum Canyon, Orange County, California. This area is now virtually inaccessible because of the gravel pits and a government rocket fuel testing site in the canyon. Specimens have also been taken at Villa Park Dam, the Laguna Lakes, Trabuco Canyon and the San Juan Springs area (near San Juan Capistrano). (Common in Peters Canyon, Orange, CA in Oct 05 – Peter Bryant and Ron Hemberger)

Flight Period: Emmel and Emmel (1973) list the flight period as February to early October, probably involving three broods near the coast. Only the summer brood seems to occur with any abundance in this area. John McBurney (Anaheim) took a specimen on January 23, 1958 in Coal Canyon, an exceptionally early record.

Larval Foodplant: Encelia californica (Bush Sunflower) and Baccharis glutinosa- (Mule Fat) are recorded, both of which are found in Orange County. Encelia californica is frequently encountered throughout the foothills in the lower chaparral and coastal sagescrub communities. Baccharis glutinosa is commonly encountered in riparian woodland areas and washes in the foothills.

Other Remarks: Theodore Hower mentions taking 3-4 in a day from the Santa Ana riverbed near Garden Grove Boulevard.

From Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Orange County, California. Center for Pathobiology Miscellaneous Publication #3. University of California Press, New York. 349pp.

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