Species Callophrys sheridanii - Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307

4307

Sheridan's Elfin

Sheridan's Green Hairstreak

Wingspan is 20-29 mm

The small size, lack of a tail, and green underside are distinctive within its range to the "Bramble Hairstreak" complex (C. affinis, dumetorum, perplexa, sheridanii, etc.). In the south there are other small green hairstreaks, but range can eliminate these throughout most of the range of Sheridan's Hairstreak. Identification within the "Bramble" complex is difficult, but some members of this species can be identified by the complete white postmedian line.

Western United States, north to British Columbia and Alberta.

Valleys and hillsides, usually in open areas.

Spring, but this varies with altitude.

Larval host plants are species of buckwheat, Eriogonum sp. Adults feed on nectar.

Brock and Kaufman's Butterflies of North America (1) has images and information on identifying members of the "Bramble" complex.

USGS Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Canada