Original available from Biological Photo Service. Brown-black on dorsal wing with rows of white spots on both wings. A reddish patch occurs in the apical region of the lateral margin of the dorsal forewing. Lorquin's Admiral possesses a smaller reddish patch on the dorsal wing. In addition, the ventral wing of Lorquin's Admiral is more extensively marked with brown and less extensive1y marked with blue than in californica.
Adults often bask on protruding willow branches in sunny places.
In Orange County, the species occurs in mountain canyons and moist riparian woodlands along the Santa Ana River. The first brood usually flies from April to June while the second brood is on the wing from August into October. Our earliest local record is February 25. Lorquin's Admiral is rarely common in Orange County, although one may expect to see one or two in almost any moist canyon or wash in the mountains or foothills where willow is common. The Butterflies of Orange County, California.