Habitat
The Laguna Mountain Skipper is an endemic species of Southern California. This species is found mostly in wet montane meadows, reaching altitudes of approximately 4,000 to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in yellow pine forests of the Laguna Mountains and Palomar Mountain. The two population areas vary in species richness. The Laguna Mountains is thought to have 1 single population while Palomar Mountain is thought to have 4 separate populations. The largest population size being 100 and 250 individuals respectively for each location. The larval host plant, Cleveland's Horkelia Horkelia clevelandii, can be found under yellow pines in rocky soil and is primarily responsible for larval nourishment/survival. Larval development has been found on sticky cinquefoil Potentilla gladulosa, but is rare. Additionally adults rely heavily on the nectar from the Cleveland's Horkelia Horkelia clevelandii for nourishment. Range, distributions, and population densities of the Laguna Mountain skippers are directly related to availability/population size of Cleveland's Horkelia Horkelia clevelandii.
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