Hoary Elfin
(Callophrys polios)
Hairstreaks and Elfins
Appearance: Above, orange-brown; below brown with gray white (“hoary”) edging to both forewings and hindwings although wider on the hindwing. The underside of hindwing is darker brown toward the body and shows a dark, irregular postmedian line. No tails.
Wingspan: Small; 7/8 to 1 1/8 inches.
Habitat: Open rocky areas near pine woodlands, forest roadsides and edges always near the host plant, kinnikinnick. It is so closely tied to its host plant that if you find the host plant at the right time of the year you will find the butterfly nearby; foothills, montane.
Flight Times: Mid-April through June; one brood. Chrysalis overwinters.
Larval Foodplant: Kinnikinnick (Bearberry); used as both host plant and frequent nectar source.
Did You Know…
Elfins are often the first non-hibernating butterflies to appear, flying at the first sign of spring, just after snow melt in the mountains (Glassberg, 2001).
