Identification
Green, yellow, brown color phases. Male abdomen has bold dark bands on top. Hind wings mottled to nearly completely suffused with dark brown to near black, with base purplish. Body form similar to other members of its genus.
Generally favors drier areas than related species that might be found with it. Often found with or near S. limbata and difficult to separate from it without looking at wings or abdomen of male. Generally S. californica is very slightly smaller and more slender, on average.
Range
Texas, Colorado, west to California. Within that state, southern California: arid and desert regions, north into Central Valley
Habitat
Chaparral, deserts. Largely arboreal, or at least climbing on bushes.
Season
Overwinter as eggs; hatch in spring and summer; adults mostly summer and autumn. Females in particular may sometimes survive well into winter.
Food
Predatory on other insects
Remarks
Males fly well, and often come to lights, presumably when they are dispersing. Females are more sedentary.
Print References
Powell and Hogue, pp. 73-74, fig. 65
(1)
Arnett and Jacques, #34
(2)Contributed by
Cotinis on 16 October, 2004 - 9:35am
Additional contributions by
David FergusonLast updated 23 September, 2010 - 9:53am
