California Threatened and Endangered Insects

The following species accounts provide some information about the life histories of some of California’s most threatened insects. Many insects in California are suspected to be in jeopardy but have not yet received formal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Information on the folowing insects may be found by clicking on the images below.


Trimerotropis infantilis
Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly

Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis
Mount Hermon June Beetle

Polyphylla barbata
Delta Green Ground Beetle

Elaphrus viridis
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle

Desmocerus californicus dimorphus
Laguna Mountains Skipper

Pyrgus ruralis lagunae
Bay Checkerspot Butterfly

Euphydryas editha bayensis
Quino Checkerspot Butterfly

Euphydryas editha quino
Oregon Silverspot Butterfly

Speyeria zerene hippolyta
Callippe Silverspot Butterfly

Speyeria callippe callippe
Myrtle’s Silverspot Butterfly

Speyeria zerene myrtleae
Berhen’s Silverspot Butterfly

Speyeria zerene behrensii
Mission Blue Butterfly

Icaricia icarioides missionensis
Lotis Blue Butterfly

Plebejus anna lotis
Smith’s Blue Butterfly

Euphilotes enoptes smithi
El Segundo Blue Butterfly

Euphilotes bernardino allyni
Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly

Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis
San Bruno Elfin Butterfly

Callophrys mossii bayensis
Lange’s Metalmark Butterfly

Apodemia mormo langei
Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth

Euproserpinus euterpe

This site was originally developed in 1997 by Michael Caterino, during his tenure as an Entomology graduate student at UC Berkeley.