Muir's Hairstreak
Callophrys muiri (Hy. Edwards, 1881)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upperside of male is dark brown with dark orange patches on lower outer edges of wings; female is tawny with dark margins. Underside is dark purple-brown with an iridescent green sheen. Postmedian line is very irregular; dark toward the base of wing, white toward the outer margin. Blue-gray patch near hindwing margin contains 3-4 reddish spots; 3-4 small black spots are near this patch.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 inch (2.2 - 2.5 cm).
Life History: To seek females, males perch on host trees all day. Eggs are laid singly on tips of host plant leaves, which the caterpillars eat. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One brood from April-May.
Caterpillar Hosts: Cypress, especially Sargent cypress (Cupressus sargentii) and MacNab's cypress (Cupressus macnabiana).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers of wild lilac (Ceanothus) and other plants.
Habitat: Hilly, rocky areas.
Range: California\'s Coast Ranges from San Luis Obispo County north to Mendocino County; Guadeloupe Island, Mexico.
Conservation: This butterfly is of moderate concern. The Nature Conservancy Rank: T3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).
NCGR:
Management Needs: Conserve as many habitats as possible. Inventory and monitor populations.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 42 verified sightings
Observation date: May 14, 2021
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 15, 2021
Observation date: May 04, 2017
Submitted by: Nancy Asquith
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 14, 2017
Observation date: May 03, 2013
Submitted by: icosahedron
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 09, 2014
Observation date: May 07, 2011
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Fresno County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Apr 10, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (R. Coyle, J. Mori, R. Wells)
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Apr 02, 2010
Observation date: Apr 10, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (R. Coyle, J. Mori, R. Wells)
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Apr 02, 2010
Observation date: Mar 27, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (H. V. Reinhard)
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: Mar 16, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (H. V. Reinhard)
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: Apr 26, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: Mar 23, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (H. V. Reinhard)
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: May 08, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (H. V. Reinhard)
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: May 07, 1960
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (1960 Season Summary)
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 05, 2010
Observation date: May 04, 1962
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Robert L. Langston)
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 05, 2010
Observation date: Jun 29, 1997
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jeffrey Glassberg)
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 05, 2010
Observation date: Apr 30, 1960
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Robert L. Langston)
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 17, 2009
Observation date: May 23, 1972
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (J. W. Tilden)
Region: Lake County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Oct 16, 2009
Observation date: Apr 20, 1998
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Oct 13, 2009
Observation date: Apr 20, 1987
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
Observation date: Mar 04, 1988
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard P. Meyer)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
Observation date: Apr 21, 1999
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
Observation date: Apr 10, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (J. R. Mori & R. Wells)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
Observation date: Mar 19, 1988
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
Observation date: Mar 19, 1988
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Sep 24, 2009
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