The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote and Coleman Townsend Robinson in 1868.

[1] It is found in Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills of California,[2] from Kern and San Luis Obispo counties in the south to Placer County in the north.

[3] It resembles Alypia ridingsii except it lacks black lines through the white wing spots.

Adults fly in April, May and June.

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Clarkia bottae[citation needed] and Clarkia unguiculata.