Riodinidae, the family of metalmark butterflies (formerly included in the Lycaenidae or "Erycinidae" as subfamily Riodininae)
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Apodemia, the Riodinidae genus most commonly known as the Metalmarks in North America
Apodemia mormo langei (C. & R. Felder, 1859) – Lange's Metalmark
Cirsium muticum is as host for some species of butterflies and moths, including the swamp metalmark butterfly (Calephelis muticum), a species that is currently undergoing risk assessment in the United States.
Apodemia mormo (Mormon metalmark) - feeds exclusively on Eriogonum
The refuge was formed in 1980 to prevent extinction of this plant, as well as Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei) and the Contra Costa wallflower (Erysium capitatum var. angustatum).