Juniper Hairstreak
(Callophrys gryneus siva)
Hairstreaks and Elfins
Appearance: Above, male dull red-brown; female tawny, both with dark brown wing borders. Upperside of wings is rarely seen. Below, the leading edge of the forewing is brownish green; the center portion is red-brown. The hindwing is brighter green. Two irregular postmedian lines, one white and one dark red-brown extend from the leading edge of the forewing across both wings to the opposite edge. There is a fine short tail on each hindwing.
Wingspan: Small; 1 to 1 1/4 inches.
Habitat: Juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands, fields, bluffs; foothills.
Flight Times: May to June; one brood.
Larval Foodplant: Junipers.
Did You Know…
Probably the best way to find and see this butterfly is to brush junipers and cedars with a stick and flush the males from their perch where they wait for females to fly by. Overwinters in the chrysalis stage.
