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| Henry's Elfin |
Latin
Name: Callophrys henrici |
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Genus: Callophrys Species: henrici |
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Comments: |
| Henry's Elfin is a small butterfly delicately marked on the wings below with brown and violet. Unlike most hairstreaks, elfins lack, or have reduced, stubby hindwing tails. Found in variety of semi-open areas, this spring species rarely strays far from stands of its larval host. Males regularly perch high on branches and await passing females. Adults have a fast, erratic flight but regularly stop to visit the blossoms of various flowering trees. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
single spring generation |
Egg: |
whitish, laid singly on host twigs or flower buds |
Larva: |
variable; green to reddish with oblique white markings |
Host Plants: |
Redbud, Dahoon Holly, American Holly and Yaupon Holly |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Redbud, Dahoon Holly, American Holly and Yaupon Holly |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
deciduous woodlands, forest edges, roadsides, old fields and utility easements where hosts occur |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
.9 - 1.2 |
Centimeters: |
2.3 - 3 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon) has strongly banded ventral hindwing |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- brown with amber red along hindwing margin; hindwing has short, stubby tail
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Below:
- brown; hindwing distinctly two-toned with dark brown basal half and light brown outer half; gray frosting along outer margin
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Abundance: |
occasional; local |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
