Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

BugGuide is a National Moth Week Partner. How to add your National Moth Week 2021 photos. July 17-25.

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

National Moth Week 2020 photos of insects and people.

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 BugGuide Gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Discussion, insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in Wisconsin, July 10-12

Photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in Virginia, June 4-7.

Photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in Arizona, July 25-28

Previous events
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters (Lycaenidae) » Hairstreaks (Theclinae) » Eumaeini » Callophrys » Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324 (Callophrys polios)

Species Callophrys polios - Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Hoary Elfin - Callophrys polios Hoary Elfin - Callophrys polios Callophrys polios Elfin - Callophrys polios Elfin - Callophrys polios Hoary Elfin - Callophrys polios Hoary Elfin - Callophrys polios Callophrys polios
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies and Skippers)
Family Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
Subfamily Theclinae (Hairstreaks)
Tribe Eumaeini
Genus Callophrys
Species polios (Hoary Elfin - Hodges#4324)
Hodges Number
4324
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Callophrys polia
described in 1907 by Cook & Watson, who originally placed it in genus Incisalia
Size
wingspan 22-29 mm in United States; 19-26 mm in Canada
Identification
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
Range
Alaska to Nova Scotia, south in the Appalachians to Virginia, south in the Rockies to northern New Mexico
Habitat
open areas with low heath plants (primarily bearberry), pine barrens, meadows, forest edges
Season
adults fly April-May in the south; May-June in the north
Food
larvae feed on Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens)
Life Cycle
one generation per year
See Also
Frosted Elfin
Henry's Elfin
Print References
(1) (2) (3)
Internet References
NABA.org
species account (Butterflies of Canada)
species account (butterfliesandmoths.org)
Works Cited
1.Butterflies of the East Coast : An Observer's Guide
Rick Cech, Guy Tudor. 2005. Princeton University Press.
2.Butterflies of North America (Kaufman Focus Guides)
Jim P. Brock, Kenn Kaufman. 2003. Houghton Mifflin Co.
3.Butterflies Through Binoculars: The East
Jeffrey Glassberg. 1999. Oxford University Press.
Contributed by tom murray on 15 May, 2005 - 9:42pm
Additional contributions by Steve Nanz, Robin McLeod, Chuck Entz
Last updated 2 July, 2017 - 7:35am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2021 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact