They’re gorgeous, the symbol of metamorphosis and that which Mariah Carey’s dreams are made of. Butterflies flutter around San Francisco in colors and varieties dazzling to the eye. In fact, there are 35 different breeding species, according to Liam O’Brien of SF Butterfly. Here are some of the most beautiful butterflies that call the city home.
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
This groovy butterfly looks like it has bubbles on it, or six eyes looking straight at you. It’s thought that this pattern deters predators. You can find these trippy insects in the Presidio’s sunny open areas.
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys viridis)
Threatened by humans moving into their territory, this vibrant-green, nickel-size butterfly can be found only in two areas in San Francisco: Hawk Hill and Rocky Outcrop, and the Presidio bluffs. There is currently a program to help increase the population of Green Hairstreaks in the city by connecting the two surviving butterfly communities.
Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides)
A green marbled pattern against pristine white makes for a beautiful butterfly. These stunners like to be in sunny open areas and have been spotted in Twin Peaks.
Mission Blue (Icaricia icarioides missionensis)
The gorgeous Mission Blue got its name because it was discovered in the Mission District in 1937. Now considered endangered, these butterflies feed off of only three kinds of lupine (summer, varied and silver) while they’re in the caterpillar stage and live among these plants for life. Lupine grows in coastal scrub and grassland; this habitat has been greatly reduced by human intervention, so the number of Mission Blues has naturally dwindled. There are about 500 in Twin Peaks, where, as part of a conservation effort, pregnant butterflies were released back into the area. Fort Baker is the only other place in San Francisco where you can see these insects.
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
The uber-recognizable Monarch butterfly spends its winters in coastal California. You can catch them fluttering around Fort Mason, the Strawberry Hill Butterfly Habitat in Golden Gate Park and Thompson Reach in the Presidio.
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
This stunning butterfly was surely painted by a divine hand. The Pipevine Swallowtail can be seen in all its colorful splendor at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the California Academy of Sciences, Angel Island and in the backyard of this Cal Academy aquatic biologist, who is helping the rare butterfly to hopefully thrive again in San Francisco.
Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
This butterfly is so shimmery, so gorgeous in color and so tiny that it’s hard to believe it’s even real. The Western Pygmy Blue is the smallest butterfly in North America, with a wingspan of about half an inch. These diminutive treasures have been seen in Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.
Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
Who knew Market Street could make for an ideal butterfly abode? It turns out that the rows of London planetrees and tall buildings replicate river-canyon settings, with sunny breaks at street intersections that are perfect for the Western Tiger Swallowtail. The Tenderloin, SOMA, Boeddeker Park, UN Plaza, Howard & Langton Mini Park and the Mission Bay Dog Park are where these beauties can be found adorning the city.
