Hoary Elfin
Callophrys polios (Cook & Watson, 1907)
Hoary Elfin: https://marylandbiodiversity.com/species/4868
Synonyms
Hodges #4324  Incisalia polios 
Tags
Endangered (MD) S1 (Highly state rare) Vulnerable

Map Snapshot

1 Record

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Status

Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios) is primarily northern in distribution, and is very scarce in many areas. This little butterfly is known to occur in Maryland only in Garrett County. It is considered state-endangered and vulnerable, and ranked as S1 (highly-state-rare). Hoary Elfin occurs in sandy openings and barrens, or bogs, where its larval host plant can be found. It flies from early to mid-May in Maryland (Butterflies of Maryland: A Biological Summary and Checklist by Lynn Davidson & Richard Smith; Brock & Kaufman 2003).

Relationships

The larval host in Maryland is Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens). In other parts of the elfin's range, Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is preferred.

Seasonality Snapshot

Resources

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Source: Wikipedia

Hoary elfin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Callophrys
Species:
C. polios
Binomial name
Callophrys polios
(Cook & Watson, 1907)[1]
Synonyms
  • Callophrys polios (Cook & Watson, 1907)
  • Incisalia polios Cook & Watson, 1907
  • Deciduphagus polios
  • Incisalia polia
  • Incisalia polios ab. davisi Watson & W. P. Comstock, 1920

Callophrys polios, the hoary elfin, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.[2] It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in the US state of Connecticut.[3]

The wingspan is 22–29 mm. Adults are on wing from April to June in one generation. The larvae feed on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and possibly Epigaea repens. The adults feed on flower nectar from various species, including leatherleaf, pyxie, wild strawberry and willow.[4] Hibernation takes place as a chrysalid.

Subspecies

[edit]
  • Callophrys polios polios
  • Callophrys polios obscura Ferris & Fisher, 1973 (Colorado)
  • Callophrys polios maritima Emmel, Emmel & Mattoon, 1998 (California)
specimens

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Incisalia at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America
  3. ^ "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "Hoary Elfin Callophrys polios (Cook & Watson, 1907) | Butterflies and Moths of North America".


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