Gorgon Copper (LEP68) Lycaena gorgon

 

     A California copper that is associated with wild buckwheat, as are many gossamer-winged butterflies.  The male is purplish brown, but the female shown here has a complicated pattern of pale yellow-orange, black spots, and dusky brown borders and patches.  Light orange hoops run along the lower margin of the hindwing.  Shown here nectaring on false dandelion.