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Species Detail

Western Pine Elfin

Callophrys eryphon (Boisduval, 1852)

JPG -- species photo

Attributes of Callophrys eryphon


Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Subfamily: Hairstreaks (Theclinae)

Identification: Tailless. Wings reddish-brown; undersides of fore- and hindwing have very jagged dark submarginal bands.

Life history: Males perch on shrubs and small trees to look for females. Eggs are laid at the base of young needles; caterpillars feed on young needles and catkins. Chrysalids hibernate and adults emerge in spring.

Flight: One flight from May-June.

Wing span: 1 - 1 3/8 inches (2.5 - 3.5 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Young needles of hard pines including lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), limber pine (P. flexilis), and ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa); possibly black spruce.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Pine forests.

Range: British Columbia east to Maine; south to southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Conservation: Not usually required.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

Documented Records for Callophrys eryphon



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