The Western Brown Elfin, Callophrys augustinus iroides, is a fairly common spring butterfly in our mountains, especially where Ceanothus grows. It uses dodder and buckwheats as well, but I seem to find it mostly on or around Ceanothus. West Fork Trail, San Gabriels, March 5, 2007.

A Western Brown Elfin at Mystic Canyon in the San Gabriels, May 28, 2006.

One of the host plants of Callophrys augustinus iroides, a parasitic plant shown here in the San Gabriels on California Buckwheat.

A closer view of dodder, in the genus Cuscuta, family Convolvulaceae (Morning Glories).