(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO

OTHER COMMON NAMES - BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO;ELFIN and SAN BRUNO

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Terrestrial Insects

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ARTHROPODA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - INSECTA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - LEPIDOPTERA,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - LYCAENIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - CALLOPHRYS,

SPECIES AND SSP - MOSSII, BAYENSIS

SCIENTIFIC NAME - CALLOPHRYS MOSSII BAYENSIS

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
San Bruno Elfin Butterfly

Callophrys mossii bayensis (Brown, 1969)

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Insect

PHYLUM: Arthropoda CLASS: Insecta
ORDER: Lepidoptera FAMILY: Lycaenidae

The following is the original description of the San Bruno elfin
butterfly, a small brown lycaenid butterfly (02). The species may be
identified by comparison with the illustrations of Callophrys mossi on
Plate 53 of "The butterflies of North America" (03).
Holotype male: Wings, dorsal primaries uniform slate gray;
androconial scales approximately one-half size of surrounding wing
scales, pad paler than wing ground color; fringe from apex to vein 2V
white, from 2V along inner margin slate-gray, becoming hair-like
nearer body. Secondaries much the same as primaries, except anterior
third of discal area paler. Vannal area much lighter, almost
irridescent white.
Ventral primaries brown with red highlights. Beginning at
coastal margin in post medial area, a white spot with black line
extending to M3, a distal offset approximately one-fourth its entire
length, then continuing to Cu2. Little or no white scaling on distal
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

edge of this line. Submarginal area with one black spot in each of
cells, Cu1, M3, M2, and M1. Submarginal and marginal areas of
secondaries reddish-brown with scattering of gray scales. Post-medial
area below vein M3 with long white hair-like scales over base of dark
gray. Anterior of M3 much the same as marginal area. Traversing the
wing a dark median line bends out sharply in area of discal cell,
distal edge of median line with scattered white scales. Submedial and
basal areas with heavy, dark brown scaling, area with thick long
hair-like reddish-brown scales. White spot on inner curve anal lobe
more prominent than dorsal surface. Dark spots in cells R1, Rs, M1,
M2, on distal edge of post-medial area.
Head, crown, and front with reddish-brown scaling; eyes hairy
bordered with white scales; labial palpi have mixture of black and
white scales. Thorax and abdomen hairy and concolorous with dorsal
wing surface.
The subspecies was originally described as Callophrys fotis
bayensis. This species group (including mossii & fotis) is in the
subgenus Incisalia. Incisalia mossii bayensis is used to describe
this species in the IUCN Red Data Book (08). The species may also be
referred to by the common name San Bruno elfin.
Allotype female: Wings, dorsal primaries and secondaries tan in
distal and limbal area; perimeters gray.
Ventral primaries and secondaries marked as in males.
Holotype males: California, San Mateo Co., San Bruno Mtns.,
April 4, 1962 (C.D. MacNeill); allotype female, same locality, March
19, 1963 (C.D. MacNeill). Types are deposited in the California
Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Entomology Type #9547 (02).

Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status

E: Federal Endangered

Non-consumptive recreational

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The San Bruno elfin butterfly (Callophrys mossii bayensis) is
listed as Endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (50 CFR 17.11). The species is presently known only from
San Mateo County, CA, but is protected wherever found. No Critical
Habitat has been designated.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: California
DESIGNATED STATUS: None.

The California Environmental Quality Act (PRC 2100 et seq.)
recognizes Federally listed Threatened and Endangered species as among
those species requiring that environmental impact assessments be made
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

for actions that may detrimentally affect them. See: Guidlines for
Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, Ca. Admin.
Code, Ch. 3, Sec. 15380.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Although the species is not individually listed in the IUCN Red
Data Book, it is included under the designated San Bruno Mountain
Threatened Community (SEE Reference 08 under R-BIOLOGY).

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The San Bruno elfin butterfly is valued as a rare species by
butterfly enthusiasts.

75/03/20:40 FR 12691/ - Notice of review
75/10/14:40 FR 48139/48140 - Proposed rule, listing as Endangered
76/06/01:41 FR 22041/22044 - Final rule, listed as Endangered
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Five year review
82/07/26:47 FR 32208/32209 - Notice of draft EA/EIR, for 10(a) permit
82/12/02:47 FR 54366/ - Receipt of 10(a) permit application
83/03/10:48 FR 10136/10137 - Issuance of 10(a) permit (PRT2-9818)
85/09/01:50 FR 37059/ - Issuance of amendment to PRT2-9818
86/01/07:51 FR 00690/ - Issuance of amendment to PRT2-9818
86/01/21:51 FR 02767/ - Denial of amendment #2 to "take"
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of Review

Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL

LAND USE -
Residential
Industrial
Transportation, communications, and Util
Mixed Urban or Built-up Land
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The only known host of the San Bruno elfin is Sedum
spathulifolium (stonecrop), a plant restricted to rocky outcrops on
steep, largely north-facing slopes. The general habitat of the San
Bruno elfin butterfly is coastal brushland dominated by Baccharis
pilularis and other coastal chaparral species. Sedum tend to be found
in shallow soils, particularly on weathered, rocky substrates, where
chaparral cover is reduced. Representative vegetation on the north
facing slopes include Rhus diversiloba (poison oak), Berberis pinnata
(coast barberry), Baccharis pilularis (coyote bush), Anaphalis
margaritacea (pearly everlasting), Erigeron glaucus (seaside daisy),
Dudleya farihosa, Arabis blepharophylla (coast rockcress), Eriogonum
latifolium (coast buckwheat), Ranunculus californicus (California
buttercup), and Lomatium utriculatum (bladder parsnip (07).
Three groups of San Bruno elfin populations exist. One group is
on San Bruno Mountain and consists of 12 units, 10 of which are
directly adjacent to a quarry. The second group is on Montara
Mountain; the last population is on adjacent Milagra Ridge.
The San Bruno Mountain area (site of one population of the San
Bruno elfin butterfly) is the only remaining undeveloped property from
the original 1837 Spanish land grant of "Canada de Guadalupe
Visitatacion y Rodeo Viejo" (05). The area is essentially an "island"
surrounded by primarily residential and industrial development and
roads. Access roads, pipelines, and transmission lines cross through
the habitat. In 1981 the area was approximately half grassland and
half non-grassland (mostly brushland with smaller areas of gorse,
eucalyptus, and woodland) (05). Most of the habitat is County
parkland. San Bruno Mountain is made up of two ecological
communities, grassland and brush with several small isolated
introduced eucalyptus groves and gorse communities. The brush
community includes three distinct types: chaparral, northern coastal
shrub and foothill woodland. The introduced communities are primarily
a product of human activities via urbanization (06). The Milagra
Ridge and Montara Mountain localities have similar climates and
habitats to the San Bruno Mountain habitat (07).
While larvae are associated exclusively with Sedum
spathulifolium, adults consume nectar from the limited number of
available inflourescences of other species during the early spring
flight period. Lomatium utriculatum is reported to be a primary
nectar source (01). Also, San Bruno elfin males show a propensity to
perch on surrounding vegetation, from which mate location is
presumably facilitated.

Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
HERBIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Forb Leaves/Stems
General Forb Flowers/Fruit/Seed

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G Human Association: Public residential parks

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
Adult San Bruno elfin butterflies oviposit exclusively on
Sedum spathulifolium. Eggs are laid on leaf surfaces. Larvae bore
into leaves, feeding until the third instar when they ascend flower
stalks and feed until pupation on available flowerheads. The external
feeding instars are tended by ants. Larvae descend for pupation,
which occurs among litter at the plant base (01).
Adults consume nectar from available flowering herbaceous plants
with small inflourescences, particularly Apiaceae and Asteracae.

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
The San Bruno elfin has been considered to be an extremely
sedentary butterfly. Average movements of adults between successive
sampling dates are quite small (on the order of dozens of meters).
However, published mark-recapture studies have been carried out within
single demographic units within restricted habitats. Therefore,
interpopulation (interhabitat) movement has not been assessed and
might be significant.
Both sexes of the San Bruno elfin are highly habitat specific.
Males exhibit something of a pseudoterritorial behavior around
"perching" sites. Males land on exposed and/or elevated surfaces,
particularly branches of coastal brush species, and fly out to
"encounter" passing objects, including conspecifics. Territories per
se are not "defended", nor may individual adult males be found several
days in succession associated with the same perch.

PERIODICITY:
The San Bruno elfin is diurnally active during its adult life
stage. The flight period of the single annual brood of known
populations is short, just several weeks, usually from early March to
early April. Individual butterflies are probably quite short-lived
(not much more than one week). Residence time for the species in San
Bruno Mountain populations was found to be approximately one week
(01).

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This species is non-migratory. Indeed, it appears to be highly
sedentary, with average recorded movement of adults in the range of
dozens to hundreds of meters (01).

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The cover and shelter requirements of the San Bruno elfin are met
within the succulent leaves of Sedum spathulifolium where early instar
larvae bore, on inflourescences where later instar larvae feed, and
among the detritus at the base of the plant where pupation occurs.
Adults undoubtedly spend the night among foliage surrounding host
plants.

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Courtship, mating and reproduction of the San Bruno elfin all
take place in the immediate space around the butterfly's host plant,
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

Sedum spathulifolium. Males perch on exposed branches and other
surfaces from which they fly out and encounter passing objects,
particularly conspecific females. Females oviposit on the surfaces of
Sedum leaves.

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The fine details of San Bruno elfin breeding behavior for the
most part are unknown. There is, however, little evidence that it
varies greatly from that of closely related species with similar
biological traits. Males probably emerge from the pupae and after a
brief delay, have mature sperm and are able to mate successfully.
Females are receptive to males soon after emergence. After
encountering a presumably receptive female, the male releases a
pheromone (01). Both sexes then perch and may ultimately copulate.
Males, thereafter, resume "perch/encounter" behavior, seeking
subsequent mates. Pair bonding between the sexes is limited to the
period of courtship and mating (several hours at most). Both sexes
may mate more than once.
Reproduction undoubtedly occurs throughout the female lifetime;
each individual adult female survives for about a week, perhaps
slightly more. The number of eggs laid is probably on the order of
several dozen per day or several hundred per female lifetime. Eggs
hatch in about a week (depending on local conditions, including
exposure of host plant, weather, etc.).

PARENTAL CARE:
Parental care is limited to the placement of individual eggs on
the host plant Sedum spathulifolium by the female.

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The population biology of the San Bruno elfin butterfly is poorly
known, since neither long-term nor geographically extensive studies
have been done. During two years of study in a single demographic
unit, Arnold (01) found a sex ratio of virtually 1:1 one year and of
almost 1.5:1 (male-biased) the following year. Local population sizes
are undoubtedly determined primarily by larval host plant density and
extent of suitable habitat, and secondarily by other factors including
nectar source availability. The potential rate of local butterfly
population increase is certainly limited by larval host plant
availability. And, while Sedum is a persistant perennial, its rate of
increase is relatively slow. Furthermore, its competitive advantage
over other plants appears to be manifest under very few environmental
conditions (rocky outcrops and steep, extremely weathered slopes on
nutrient poor substrates). Natural catastrophes, such as fire or
extreme weather, probably have comparatively little adverse affects on
this species. Indeed, a "catastrophic" circumstance such as a
landslide, in fact, will create potential habitat for the species.

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The San Bruno elfin appears to have an exclusive larval host
plant relationship with Sedum spathulifolium, a rather narrowly
distributed plant found on rocky outcrops in coastal brushland.
Threats to this plant, therefore, indirectly threaten the butterfly.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

Although this butterfly species is tended by ants, it appears
that the relationship is not obligatory.
Likewise, parasites and predators have been recorded for this
butterfly species, but no exclusive relationships are known.

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.

Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Food Supply Reduction
Existing Food Supply Reduction
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Habitat destruction and alteration through urbanization is the
key cause of the present endangered status of the San Bruno elfin
butterfly. Based on the numerous herbaria records for the
butterfly's host plant (stonecrop, Sedum spathulifolium) in San
Francisco, the butterfly may have previously inhabited several sites
long since destroyed by urbanization or irreversibly altered by exotic
plantings of iceplant (Mesembryanthemum), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus), and
other landscape species (04).
Historically, the coastal montane slopes inhabited by the San
Bruno elfin buttefly in San Mateo County have suffered moderate
habitat alteration. Some habitat loss has occurred on San Bruno
Mountain through quarrying, roadcuts, grazing, and construction of
communications facilities (04).
A major colony of the San Bruno elfin butterfly was destroyed by
expansion of a rock quarry in 1978 (04). In between 1932 and 1981 the
total San Bruno Mountain area was reduced from 4950 acres to about
3565 acres through urbanization. During that period of time the
habitat changed from a predominantly grassland habitat (4047 acres) to
about half grassland (1811 acres) and half non-grassland
(brushland-1141 acres, gorse-334 acres, eucalyptus-206 acres, and
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

woodland-72 acres). Urbanization and invasion of native and
non-native brush were the two factors responsible for the grassland
habitat decrease (05). The replacement of perennial bunch grassland
with European annual grassland followed by decades of grazing and
subsequent removal of grazing in the 1960's has lead to the
distribution of plants and animals seen today (06).
A number of extant colonies of the San Bruno elfin are
encompassed within areas under permanent protection and long-term
management in accordance with the San Bruno Mountain Habitat
Conservation Plan. Populations, however, do exist outside this area,
particularly in the vicinity of Montara Mountain to the southwest. A
proposed freeway bypass poses a threat to the habitat of the butterfly
in the Montara Mountain area.

APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for the San
Bruno Elfin and Mission Blue Butterflies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, OR. 81 pp.

The Recovery Plan for the San Bruno elfin butterfly also includes
the Mission blue butterfly. The primary objective of the recovery
plan is to protect, maintain, and enhance existing populations. San
Bruno elfin butterflies may be reclassified to Threatened when secure,
self-sustaining colonies are established or reestablished on two
identified sites and the San Bruno Mountain populations are secure.
Delisting is contingent upon protection, maintenance, and/or expansion
of current colonies and establishment of additional colonies.
In order to meet the above recovery criteria, the following
activities must be undertaken:

1. Protection of essential habitat from adverse development on and
outside of San Bruno Mountain through cooperative agreements,
easements, and other strategies;
2. Prevention of further habitat degradation from herbicides,
pesticides, other toxicants, and off-road vehicle use. Habitat
should be enhanced when possible by the removal of exotic plants
and transplanting native flora.
3. Development and implementation of management plans for existing
colonies of butterflies after gathering information on bionomics,
determining reclassification and habitat criteria necessary for
reclassifying and delisting, and evaluating management data for
long term planning for butterfly management at all locations;
4. Reestablishment of populations in restored or rehabilitated
habitats within historic range. If recolonization does not occur
naturally, then butterflies from a nearby colony should be
reintroduced. If natural colonies are greatly depleted,
propagation of captive individuals will be necessary to obtain
stock for reintroduction.
5. Enforcement of laws and regulations to protect these butterflies
and their habitats; and
6. Development and implementation of an information and educational
program.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species BUTTERFLY, ELFIN, SAN BRUNO
Species Id ESIS501010
Date 13 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Arnold, R.A. 1983. Ecological studies of six endangered
butterflies (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae): Island biogeography, patch
dynamics, and the design of habitat preserves. Univ. Calif. Pub.
Entomol. Vol. 99.
02 Brown, R.M. 1969. A new subspecies of Callophrys fotis from
San Francisco Bay Area (Lycaenidae). J. Lepid. Soc. 23:95-96.
03 Howe, W.H. 1975. The Butterflies of North America. Doubleday,
New York.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for the San
Bruno Elfin and Mission Blue Butterflies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, OR. 81 pp.
05 San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan Steering Committee.
1982. San Bruno Mountain area habitat conservation plan. County
of San Mateo, CA. 2 Volumes.
06 Thomas Reid Associates. 1982. Endangered species survey San Bruno
Mountain biological study. Unpublished report to the San Mateo
County Steering Committee for Bruno Mountain.
07 Emmel, J.F. and C.D. Ferris. 1972. The biology of Callophyrs
(Incisalia) fotis bayensis (Lycaenidae). Journ. Lepid. Soc.
26(4):237-244.
08 Wells, S.M., R.M. Pyle and N.M. Collins. 1983. The IUCN
invertebrate red data book. IUCN Conserv. Monitoring Ctr., Gland,
Switzerland. 632 pp.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

References - 1