Butterflies in Orange County

Tiger Swallowtail--Papilio rutulus Huntington Central Park

Birders often see butterflies when they are out birding, and so here are a few butterflies found in Orange County, California. I took these pictures over the last few years when I was out birding. In the winter, I most often see Monarchs and Mourning Cloaks.    Notice how the same butterfly can look very different with its wings closed.

Fiery Skipper--Hylephila phyleus (?) Huntington Central Park

Striated Queen--Danaus gilippus

California Dogface--Colias eurydice Environmental Nature Center's Native Butterfly House

California Dogface--Colias eurydice Environmental Nature Center's Native Butterfly House

California Dogface--Colias eurydice at Environmental Nature Center's Native Butterfly House

Cabbage White--Pieris rapae female

Buckeye--Precis coenia

1) West Coast Lady--Vanessa anabella

2) West Coast Lady--Vanessa anabella

3) West Coast Lady--Vanessa anabella--wings closed

Mourning Cloak--Nymphalis antiopa at Environmental Nature Center's Native Butterfly House

1) Gulf Fritillary--Agraulis vanillae Huntington Central Park wings closed.

2) Gulf Fritillary--Agraulis vanillae Huntington Central Park wings open.

Monarch--Danaus plexippus

Monarch--Danaus plexippus at Environmental Nature Center's Native Butterfly House

Monarch--Danaus plexippus

Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta rubria. Loves Stinging Nettle.

Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Central Park just put in a Stinging Nettle area to attract the Red Admiral Butterfly. The one shown above is from last year still alive, but pretty tattered.

Funereal Duskywing--Erynnis funeralis--in my backyard.

OC Birder Girl Links






Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve


You can find butterflies near the parking lot and along the path by PCH, on the mesa, and along Wintersburg Channel.







Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay



On the Muth Center side off Irvine Avenue there seem to be more butterflies. The Muth Center is starting a butterfly garden.







Huntington Central Park



There are butterflies all over the park on both sides. The Monarch Butterflies have lots of milkweed in Huntington Central Park's Shipley Nature Center and Monarchs seem to be starting a winter colony among Eucalyptus trees in the park.





Environmental Nature Center Butterfly House



Has a butterfly house during spring and summer.





San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary



Has a butterfly garden, but you can see butterflies throughout the sanctuary.






Mason Regional Park






External Links and Resources



Pavilion of Wings
LA Museum of Natural History's butterfly house is great. April through September.




ENC Native Butterfly House

May through Summer.  A much smaller exhibit than the LA Museum of Natural History, but closer, less hassle, and still plenty of butterflies to see. 




North American Butterfly Association - Orange County Chapter

Orange County has its own chapter. Check out their website. They have lots of information and even field trips. Can't beat it.





Butterflies and Their Larval Food Plants



Pictures and information about butterflies in Orange County California.





Gibbs Park


Known as "The Butterfly Park," Gibbs park is a small park with plants that attract butterflies, a display about butterflies, and a beautiful mural on the pavement near the entrance to the park. Lots of historical plaques about local history as well.




Butterfly Migration Under Way in Orange County


About Painted Lady butterfly migration. From last year.





Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park


This wilderness park has a butterfly garden.















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