Callophrys niphon

Callophrys niphon, the eastern pine elfin, is a species of Lycaenidae that is native to North America.

Eastern pine elfin

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Lycaenidae
Genus:
Callophrys
Species:
C. niphon
Binomial name
Callophrys niphon
(Hübner, 1823)
Synonyms
  • Licus niphon Hübner, 1823
  • Incisalia niphon
  • Callophrys niphon clarki Freeman, 1938

Description

It is similar to the western pine elfin but has two dark bars instead of one in the forewing underside cell with strong patterning on the underside. The wingspan ranges from 22–27 mm (0.87–1.06 in).[2]

Life history

There is one flight from March to April in the south, while it occurs between mid-May and early June in the north.[2] Females will lay eggs singly on flower buds. The caterpillars eat both the flower and the developing seedpods. Chrysalids hibernate in loosely formed cocoons beneath litter below the plant. Larval foods include jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and white pine (Pinus strobus).[2]

Range

They range across most of the eastern United States and the southern parts of the provinces of Canada.[2] Within this range they tend to sandy areas with pine trees.[2]

References
  1. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0 - Callophrys niphon Eastern Pine Elfin". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  2. EasternPine Elfin, Butterflies of Canada


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