Coastal California collecting tips?

[reifb]

I have the fortunate opportunity to travel from the mid-west to Sea Ranch California for a week in mid-June this summer. I would greatly appreciate any tips on Lep collecting around that area.

Specifically, what restrictions are in place for collecting along the CA coast?

Can I collect along a public beach?

Also, I'll probably make a trip up to the Mendicino Nat. Forest. Any nice spots that people have collected there?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Brant

[modestomoths]

Brant,
Our family spends time at Sea Ranch every year, usually in late July early August. No restriction on collecting, as far as I know, but some residents in that area are quite sensitive to disturbances of nature, so I always try to be respectful and careful. No lights at night! I did get a talk from security one night and was kindly asked to turn off my MV setup.

In August, I collected some nice Hemileuca eglanterina, but I don't think they fly as early as June. I'm not really sure what you might find in June, but personally, I've never been impressed with the quantity of leps in the area. But maybe August is too late in the season, and I hope you'll have better luck earlier. If it works out, you may want to take a drive inland, into the coastal hills -- you may find more action there.

Best wishes, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Travis

[Rich]

Hello Brant,

I have never had a good night collecting along the Sonoma coast. In June, if you go inland a few miles and search the Manzanita brush you may find Hemileuca eglanterina caterpillars feeding. The temperature will be much warmer inland and you may find more insects on the wing. If you find a place where brush lupine is growing, along the coast, you will likely find “Ranchland Tiger Moths”, Platyprepia virginalis, flying. I have found that they are flying between 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. They are very fast and will see you from 50 feet away and change directions to avoid you. Just pick a spot behind a bush and wait, you will only get one try per insect.

Richard

[reifb]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately it was overcast most of the time I was in Sea Ranch. I just collected a few Coenonympha tullia.

I was able to head to the Mendocino National Forest, Lake Co., on July 21.

This was my first major insect collecting opportunity in California. I was staying in Sea Ranch, but ventured in-land for one day of hiking and collecting. I was excited right away due to the amount of butterflies flying, and was able to add four new species to my collection.

The following were collected and/or spotted:
Papilio zelicaon
Papilio rutulus
Papilio eurymedon
Neophasia menapia (pine white)
Colias eurytheme
Habrodais grunus (golden hairstreak)
Junonia coenia
Adelpha bredowii (CA sister)
Coenonympha tullia
Cercyonis pegala (common wood nymph)
Plebejus acmon
Speyeria hydaspe tehama
Speyeria egleis yolaboli (Great Basin fritillary)

Brant