Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329
Callophrys eryphon
This record describes Callophrys eryphon (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Eastern Pine Elfin, but Westerns Pine Elfins are not found in most of the Eastern United States, While Eastern Pine Elfins do not occur further west of the eastern Pine forests (western limits in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas). The two species do overlap ranges more broadly in Canada from northeastern British Columbia and northern Alberta eastward, but only the Western is found in the Rockies and westward. In Western Pine Elfins the postmedian dark line crossing the middle of the front wing is usually straighter, without strong breaks and offsets (occasional individuals are not so); the discal cell of the front wing is crossed usually by only one bar at the end, and if there is a second it is usually very irregular and ill-defined; the dark submarginal chevrons on the under hind wing are usually nearly all sharply angled inward, often rather pointed; the row of dark markings just beyond the chevrons (toward the outer margin) generally tends to be in the form of rounded spots. In Eastern Pine Elfins the postmedian dark line is usually strongly broken and offset; the discal cell usually has two distinct dark cross bars; and, the dark chevrons on the hind wing are usually less strongly bowed and more evenly rounded (though one near the anal angle is usually longer and more pointed); the row of dark markings just beyond the chevrons (toward the outer margin) generally tends to be in the form of a nearly continuous line. Both species are variable, and occasional specimens may prove unidentifiable.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Theclinae
- Tribe
- Eumaeini
- Genus
- Callophrys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Pine forest and Woodland
Geographic Range
In United States - west from the western Great Plains and north of the southwestern deserts, mostly in mountains and broken terrain, and always where there are Pines. Also in northern part of Great Lakes states and in Maine. In Canada widespread in association with Pines in the western mountains, and scattered across the rest of the country below the Arctic and north of the Praires. northern New Brunswick (AWT)
Seasonal Activity
one adult flight, mostly for about two or three weeks sometime from April to July (varies with local climate; earlier southward and at lower elevations)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pine and other conifers ( Montana Field Guide )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Callophrys eryphon. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Nick Block , David Ferguson , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329
What is Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329?
Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329 (Callophrys eryphon) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329?
Very similar to Eastern Pine Elfin, but Westerns Pine Elfins are not found in most of the Eastern United States, While Eastern Pine Elfins do not occur further west of the eastern Pine forests (western limits in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas). The two species do overlap ranges more broadly in Canada from northeastern British Columbia and northern Alberta eastward, but only the Western is found in the Rockies and westward. In Western Pine Elfins the postmedian dark line crossing the middle of the front wing is usually straighter, without strong breaks and offsets (occasional individuals are not so); the discal cell of the front wing is crossed usually by only one bar at the end, and if there is a second it is usually very irregular and ill-defined; the dark submarginal chevrons on the under hind wing are usually nearly all sharply angled inward, often rather pointed; the row of dark markings just beyond the chevrons (toward the outer margin) generally tends to be in the form of rounded spots. In Eastern Pine Elfins the postmedian dark line is usually strongly broken and offset; the discal cell usually has two distinct dark cross bars; and, the dark chevrons on the hind wing are usually less strongly bowed and more evenly rounded (though one near the anal angle is usually longer and more pointed); the row of dark markings just beyond the chevrons (toward the outer margin) generally tends to be in the form of a nearly continuous line. Both species are variable, and occasional specimens may prove unidentifiable.
Where is Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pine forest and Woodland |
| Range | In United States - west from the western Great Plains and north of the southwestern deserts, mostly in mountains and broken terrain, and always where there are Pines. Also in northern part of Great Lakes states and in Maine. In Canada widespread in association with Pines in the western mountains, and scattered across the rest of the country below the Arctic and north of the Praires. northern New Brunswick (AWT) |
What does Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329 eat?
The diet of the Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329 includes Pine and other conifers ( Montana Field Guide ).
When is Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329 active?
Western Pine Elfin - Hodges#4329: seasonal activity - one adult flight, mostly for about two or three weeks sometime from April to July (varies with local climate; earlier southward and at lower elevations).