Coastal-dune-specialist
Guides
Areniscythris brachypteris
Oso Flaco Flightless Moth, sand-dune grasshopper moth
Areniscythris brachypteris is a flightless moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Jerry A. Powell in 1976. It is endemic to coastal sand dunes of California and is notable among Lepidoptera for its reduced wings and inability to fly. The species has been observed in 90 iNaturalist records, suggesting it is documented but not abundant.
Euphilotes battoides allyni
El Segundo Blue Butterfly
Euphilotes battoides allyni is a federally endangered subspecies of blue butterfly endemic to coastal sand dunes in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The subspecies has an extremely restricted range, historically occurring only between El Segundo and San Pedro. It is one of the most geographically localized butterfly taxa in North America, with all known populations confined to areas supporting its obligate larval host plant, Eriogonum parvifolium (coastal buckwheat).