Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324
Callophrys polios
This record describes Callophrys polios (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: upperside of wings orangish-brown in the east, grayer in the west; underside of hindwing with wide terminal band of pale gray frosting; underside of forewing with narrow terminal band of frosting; hindwing underside lacks dark spot (present in Frosted Elfin) Larva: bright green with lighter green lines down back and sides, and oblique green marks on flanks
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
open areas with low heath plants (primarily bearberry), pine barrens, meadows, forest edges
Geographic Range
Alaska to Nova Scotia, south in the Appalachians to Virginia, south in the Rockies to northern New Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly April-May in the south; May-June in the north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) and Trailing Arbutus ( Epigaea repens )
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Callophrys polios. 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 Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Chuck Entz
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324
What is Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324?
Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 (Callophrys polios) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324?
wingspan 22-29 mm in United States ; 19-26 mm in Canada
How do you identify Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324?
Adult: upperside of wings orangish-brown in the east, grayer in the west; underside of hindwing with wide terminal band of pale gray frosting; underside of forewing with narrow terminal band of frosting; hindwing underside lacks dark spot (present in Frosted Elfin) Larva: bright green with lighter green lines down back and sides, and oblique green marks on flanks
Where is Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | open areas with low heath plants (primarily bearberry), pine barrens, meadows, forest edges |
| Range | Alaska to Nova Scotia, south in the Appalachians to Virginia, south in the Rockies to northern New Mexico |
What does Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 eat?
The diet of the Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 includes larvae feed on Bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) and Trailing Arbutus ( Epigaea repens ).
When is Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 active?
Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324: seasonal activity - adults fly April-May in the south; May-June in the north.
What is the life cycle of a Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324?
one generation per year