These helpful guides are available online, but have been compiled here for easy use.
Insects
Natural History Museum - Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
Butterflies and Moths of North America
Bees
Bee Basics An Introduction to Our Native Bees
The Biology and External Morphology of Bees
FARMING FOR BEES Guidelines for Providing Native Bee Habitat on Farms
Guide to Bumble Bees of the Western United States
Ants
Dr. Eleanor’s Book of Common Ants
Plants
Santa Clara River Natural History
Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains
Calflora - You can use Calflora's "what grow's here" feature to take a close look at what grows in the vicinity of the Santa Clara River.