Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328
Callophrys niphon
This record describes Callophrys niphon (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinctive bold pattern on underside of wings
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 forests and adjacent areas
Geographic Range
Southeastern North America and northern pine forests of Northeastern United States northwestward into Canada.
Seasonal Activity
March-June (one brood, but extended)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on various pines. Adults take nectar and fluids from mud, etc.
Life History
Pupae overwinter. Emerge in early to late spring. Males perch on pines, waiting for females.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Callophrys niphon. 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 Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328
What is Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328?
Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328 (Callophrys niphon) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328?
Wingspan 25-32 mm
How do you identify Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328?
Distinctive bold pattern on underside of wings
Where is Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pine forests and adjacent areas |
| Range | Southeastern North America and northern pine forests of Northeastern United States northwestward into Canada. |
What does Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328 eat?
The diet of the Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328 includes Larvae feed on various pines. Adults take nectar and fluids from mud, etc..
When is Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328 active?
Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328: seasonal activity - March-June (one brood, but extended).
What is the life cycle of a Eastern Pine Elfin - Hodges#4328?
Pupae overwinter. Emerge in early to late spring. Males perch on pines, waiting for females.