Uv-signaling
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Zerene eurydice
California dogface butterfly, flying pansy, dog head butterfly
Zerene eurydice, commonly known as the California dogface butterfly, is a pierid butterfly endemic to California and designated as the state's official insect since 1972. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males display distinctive black and yellow-orange wing patterns resembling a dog's head silhouette, while females are predominantly yellow with black forewing markings. The butterfly is closely associated with its larval host plants, false indigo species (Amorpha californica and A. fruticosa), and is most abundant at the Shutamul Bear River Preserve near Auburn. Despite its cultural prominence, the species remains rarely encountered in the wild due to its fast, high-flying behavior and specific habitat requirements.