''Coenonympha california'', also known as the California ringlet or common ringlet, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
butterfly
Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the Order (biology), order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The ...
native to North America.
Although it has previously been considered a subspecies of ''
Coenonympha tullia
''Coenonympha tullia'', the large heath or common ringlet, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It flies in a variety of grassy habitats, including roadsides, woodland edges and clearings, prairies, bogs, and arctic and alpine taiga and tun ...
'',
genetic testing
Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used to identify changes in DNA sequence or chromosome structure. Genetic testing can also include measuring the results of genetic changes, such as RNA analysis as an output of gene expression, or ...
suggests it is a separate species. Larvae feed on grasses.
Taxonomy
''Coenonympha california'' contains the following subspecies:
* ''Coenonympha california mcisaaci''
* ''Coenonympha california galactinus''
* ''Coenonympha california benjamini''
* ''Coenonympha california mackenziei''
* ''Coenonympha california yontocket''
* ''Coenonympha california eryngii''
* ''Coenonympha california eunomia''
* ''Coenonympha california columbiana''
* ''Coenonympha california mono''
* ''Coenonympha california elko''
* ''Coenonympha california pseudobrenda''
* ''Coenonympha california subfusca''
* ''Coenonympha california furcae''
* ''Coenonympha california nipisiquit''
* ''Coenonympha california ampelos''
* ''Coenonympha california ochracea''
* ''Coenonympha california insulana''
* ''Coenonympha california inornata''
* ''Coenonympha california california''
References
california
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
Butterflies described in 1851
{{Lepidoptera-stub