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Zerene eurydice was adopted as California's state insect in 1972.

Zerene eurydice was originally placed in the genus Colias.

Butterflies breathe through a detailed network of tracheae, which are filled with air from tiny holes in the exoskeleton called spiracles. When muscles in the butterfly’s body move to either relax or contract, this causes some spiracles to shut and others to open creating a vacuum effect, sucking air through the tracheae. Circulation in the butterfly works much the same way, with hemolymph (insect blood) being pumped throughout the body by muscular contraction.

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Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
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Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
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Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Conservation Status

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This species requires no special conservation status.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

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Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
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Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Life Cycle

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Zerene eurydice, like other butterflies, go through a complete metamorphosis before emerging from their pupa as an adult. After chewing their way out of the egg, larvae have voracious appetites. They eat and grow, and as they grow they must molt their old, tight exoskeleton and grow a new, larger one. Each period between molts is called an instar. Each larva must pass through several instars before it is ready to pupate and become an adult. When ready, the larva spins inself a cacoon made from silk, pupates inside of it, and emerges about one week later as an adult butterfly.

Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis

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Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
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Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Benefits

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There is no known economic importance of this species.

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bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Benefits

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There is no known economic importance of this species.

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cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
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The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Trophic Strategy

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The primary food source of the California dogface butterfly is the plant Amorpha californica (false indigo). The caterpillar eats the leaves of Amorpha californica, and the adults drink flower nectar from plants of the mustard family.

Plant Foods: leaves; nectar

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Nectarivore )

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bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Distribution

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Zerene eurydice is found from northern-central California south to Baja California.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

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bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Habitat

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This butterfly can be found in foothills, chaparral, and oak or coniferous woodlands.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains

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bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Life Expectancy

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Spring flight: 10-11 months br

Summer flight: 3.5-4 months br

(Struttmann, date unknown)

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bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Morphology

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Dog faced butterfly eggs are ribbed, and flattened on one side. When first laid, eggs are pale green or yellow colored, turning crimson as they mature. Larvae are dull green and covered in small black points. They have a white lateral band, which is edged with red below and black dots above. There is also a pale band around each body segment. Larvae have 6 normal, jointed, muscular legs attached to the abdomen which each have a hook on the end used for grasping. There are also 10 false legs called prolegs attached to the abdominal segments, which are soft and fleshy.

Adult butterflies have enormous eyes, and their wings are covered in scales, which aid in flight aerodynamics and heat insulation. The last segments of their abdomens are fused, and almost all of their bodies are covered in tactile setae -hairs that sense vibrations and touch. Zerene eurydice forwings have a yellow to pinkish-orange "dogs head" enclosed by dark purplish brown-to-black along the front and outer margins of the wing. Females have entirely yellow forewings except for a black upper forewing cell spot. Both males and females have solid yellow hindwings.

Average wingspan: 5.1-6.3 cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently

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bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Associations

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In the egg, larva, and pupal stages, Zerene eurydice uses camouflage to avoid being eaten. Larvae are a greenish yellow color, the same color as the false indigo plan on which it feeds and lives on.

Known Predators:

  • The California dogface, like most other butterflies, is prey to many species which include ants, spiders, wasps, parasitic wasps, parasitic flies, birds, rats, toads, lizards, praying mantis', and snakes.
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Reproduction

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Males search for receptive females to mate with. During copulation, the male first injects a sac called a spermatophore into the mating tube of the female. He then injects his sperm into the spermatophore, followed by a substance that later hardens into a clear plug. This plug is to prevent other males from mating with the same female, although after a few days the plug is broken down and absorbed by enzymes in the females body, and she may mate again. Mating takes longer in cool weather, or if the male mated previously in the day as it may take several hours for his body to recharge the nessesary copulatory chemicals.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

The male Zerene eurydice searches for females to mate with. After mating, the female lays eggs singly on leaves of the host plant, false indigo. The eggs are pale green or yellow-green and later turn crimson.

Breeding season: early spring and late summer

Average eggs per season: 100.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); sperm-storing ; delayed fertilization

After the female lays her eggs, she does not provide any further care for offspring.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female)

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Hong, K. 2002. "Zerene eurydice" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Zerene_eurydice.html
author
Kijun Hong, Southwestern University
editor
Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
editor
Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Sara Diamond, Animal Diversity Web
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Zerene eurydice

provided by wikipedia EN

Zerene eurydice, the California dogface butterfly, belongs to the family Pieridae and is a sister genus to Colias. [2] The Zerene eurydice and the Colias both share the "characteristic of having yellow-orange and black wing coordination." [3] Additionally the,"Colias and Zerene eurydice males have bright UV patterns on their wings."[3]There are only two species of the Zerene, the Zerene eurydice, and the Zerene cesonia, also known as the Southern dogface.[4] A study that collected mitochondrial DNA from various Colias butterfly species found that Z. eurydice had decreased divergence from the ingroup, highlighting how closely related these two genera are.[5] This species is endemic to California, and is California's state insect.[6] The California dogface butterfly varies in its wing color and pattern.

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Description

The California dogface butterfly, gained its name as a result of the coloring of the wings of the butterfly, especially in the males. "The Zerene eurydice only has UV patterns on its dorsal forewings."[7] The female mostly has yellow wings, with two black dots or dashes on each forewing, while the male has black on the outer edges of the forewing, usually enclosing a yellow-orange color and two black dots.[8] Male Z. Eurydice butterflies have an iridescent pigment found in their dorsal forewings due to light reflecting chitin structures and this has been associated with mating success.[4] The wing span of Zerene Eurydice measures on average 5.1 to 6.3 cm. The wings are covered with scales to assist "flight aerodynamics and heat insulation" and the overall body contains "setae hairs that sense vibration and touch."[7]

Distribution, feeding and habitat

Z. eurydice's distribution is limited to that of California and is commonly found in the San Bernardino mountains and Santa Ana Mountains in Southern California.[2] The Zerene's habitat is found in "foothills, chaparral, oak or coniferous woodlands." Within these regions, the habitat is temperate and terrestrial.[7]

Larvae of Z. eurydice exclusively feed on Amorpha californica, and Amorpha fruticosa, which belong to the family Fabaceae.[4] These host plants are found within, "poison oak, willow, and near streambanks.[9] During the larva and pupal stages, the Zerene eurydice are greenish yellow(same colors as family Fabaceae), and depend on Amorpha californica and Amorpha fruitcosa for camouflaging from predators.[7] These butterflies fly very fast, and are difficult to approach unless they are nectaring at flowers.[8] As a result, it is a challenge to get a photograph of them with their wings open. This fast flight aids Z. eurydice in escaping from predators such as: "ants, spiders, wasps, parasitic wasps, parasitic flies, birds, rats, toads, lizards, praying mantis, and snakes."[7]Adult butterflies are attracted to regions with moist soils and feed on several species of flowers.[8] It has been found that they are especially fond of blue gilia, sunflowers and thistle blooms.[8]

The breeding season for Zerene eurydice is between early spring and late summer, with an average of hundred eggs per season.[10] Z. Eurydice butterflies usually begin their flights around 7 a.m. and fly until the afternoon. This is not continuous and the butterflies will often roost in bushes. The females usually depart in flight an hour or two after the males.[8]

First state insect

The California dogface butterfly has been the state insect of the U.S. state of California since 1972.[6] Its endemic range is limited to the state. California was the first state to choose a state insect—and thus, to choose a butterfly—though most of the other states have now followed, and many even have both a state insect and state butterfly. It took 43 years, a determined 4th grade class, and Fresno Assemblyman Kenneth Maddy to have the California Dogface butterfly designated as the state insect.[11]

Threats

Threats towards the species Zerene eurydice include, "fire suppression which results in closure of habitat openings and may result in eventual overly intense fires that could eradicate populations."[12] Zerene eurydice are also locally threatened by livestock grazing. For global status-most recently updated in 2019-classifies Zerene eurydice as G4, indicating "apparently secure."[12] The reasons behind Zerene eurydice being "apparently secure" are, "although this species is uncommon and local, and is a subject to some threats, they persist in a relatively large number of occurrences."[12] The number of element occurrences for Zerene eurydice are between 81 and 300. However, the long-term trend for Zerene eurydice results in a decline of less than 30% because of "the large scale of habitat conversion that has taken place in the California Coast and Transverse Ranges in the 20th century.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Zerene eurydice https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.117394/Zerene_eurydice cod-draft
  2. ^ a b Pacific Coast Entomological Society; Society, Pacific Coast Entomological; Van Duzee, Edward P.; Sciences, California Academy of; Society, Pacific Coast Entomological (1927). The Pan-Pacific entomologist. Vol. 4. San Francisco: Pacific Coast Entomological Society.
  3. ^ a b Fenner, Jennifer; Rodriguez-Caro, Luis; Counterman, Brian (2019-07-01). "Plasticity and divergence in ultraviolet reflecting structures on Dogface butterfly wings". Arthropod Structure & Development. 51: 14–22. doi:10.1016/j.asd.2019.06.001. ISSN 1467-8039. PMID 31176003. S2CID 182949679.
  4. ^ a b c Fenner, Jennifer; Rodriguez-Caro, Luis; Counterman, Brian (2019-07-01). "Plasticity and divergence in ultraviolet reflecting structures on Dogface butterfly wings". Arthropod Structure & Development. 51: 14–22. doi:10.1016/j.asd.2019.06.001. ISSN 1467-8039. PMID 31176003. S2CID 182949679.
  5. ^ Wheat, Christopher W.; Watt, Ward B. (2008-06-01). "A mitochondrial-DNA-based phylogeny for some evolutionary-genetic model species of Colias butterflies (Lepidoptera, Pieridae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 47 (3): 893–902. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.03.013. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 18442929.
  6. ^ a b California State Library Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e Diamond, Sara; Hong, Kijun. "Zerene eurydice". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  8. ^ a b c d e Riddell, Janet (1941). "Some Remarkable Forms and Aberrations in the Subgenus Zerene Hübner (lepidoptera, Pieridae)". Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 91 (9): 447–457. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1941.tb01047.x. ISSN 1365-2311.
  9. ^ "Zerene eurydice | Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site". butterfly.ucdavis.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  10. ^ Scott, James A. (1992). The Butterflies of North America (1st ed.). New York: Stanford University Press. pp. 49–70. ISBN 9780804720137.
  11. ^ "Butterfly Makes Good". The Sacramento Bee. August 1, 1972.
  12. ^ a b c d "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
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Zerene eurydice: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Zerene eurydice, the California dogface butterfly, belongs to the family Pieridae and is a sister genus to Colias. The Zerene eurydice and the Colias both share the "characteristic of having yellow-orange and black wing coordination." Additionally the,"Colias and Zerene eurydice males have bright UV patterns on their wings."There are only two species of the Zerene, the Zerene eurydice, and the Zerene cesonia, also known as the Southern dogface. A study that collected mitochondrial DNA from various Colias butterfly species found that Z. eurydice had decreased divergence from the ingroup, highlighting how closely related these two genera are. This species is endemic to California, and is California's state insect. The California dogface butterfly varies in its wing color and pattern.

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