Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1117847

Thicket Hairstreak
Callophrys spinetorum

Observation date: May 21, 2017
Submitted by: Kristie Nelson
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This was the first individual I saw & photographed here - in a Utah Juniper with a heavy mistletoe load. I ID'ed this at the time as a Thicket HS, but later I saw many more hairstreaks - but all Siva Junipers (so concluded this must've been one as well). Looking back over the photos though, I now feel it is in fact a Thicket HS, not Juniper. The white M is bold & unlike any of the Sivas I photographed or see on butts of America: Junipers the points of the W break the white line - not here, W is formed by white line. It also has the white spot on central FW, and the black eyespots on trailing edge HW are more numerous, and bigger. I also feel like the wingtip is slightly more pointed than on Juniper HS's. So despite being not a very good photo (in shade) I think it's a Thicket Hairstreak as opposed to Juniper, but curious what you think. Could be interesting to document on juniper-associated mistletoe.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 27, 2017
Coordinator notes: Thicket Hairstreaks often perch on junipers on hilltops where Juniper Hairstreaks also live-Ken Davenport
Checklist region(s): Douglas County, United States, Nevada