... making quick work of the bee plants (Scrophularia californica) along the Lost Trail in Windy Hill OSP. One day they will grow up to be one of our most lovely and abundant local butterflies, the variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona). Wikipedia informs us that their most common food is the monkeyflower, but that bee plants are tastier and more nutritious!
"Another less common host plant for variable checkerspot larvae is Scrophularia californica, which lacks the resin defense system found in D. aurantiacus and is thus easier for larvae to digest. Larvae that feed on S. californica grow faster and larger than those that feed on D. aurantiacus." Source.
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