Californian Sister

Description:

Adelpha bredowii, commonly known as Bredow's Sister, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adelpha bredowii previously included two subspecies, the California Sister (Adelpha bredowii californica) and the Arizona Sister (Adelpha bredowii eulalia). Recent phylogenetic studies, however, conclude that morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence make it clear that these are correctly separate species. They have been reclassified as the species Adelpha californica and Adelpha eulalia, respectively. These large butterflies are seen either flying slowly through oak woodlands or sipping the salt and mineral-rich water at the edges of mud puddles or stream banks. This one was seen Mud-puddling...

Habitat:

Flying among the Redwood trees in Baltimore Canyon, Larkspur, Ca.