Species Insects & ArthropodsEastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin

Callophrys niphon

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

The Eastern Pine Elfin is a beautiful small hairstreak with intricately patterned, scalloped brown-and-cream wings below that provide exceptional camouflage on pine bark. It is strictly associated with young pines, and adults spend much of their time in the tops of pitch and scrub pines. It is a single-brooded spring species that is most easily seen visiting flowers along pine-edged paths.

Habitat
Pine barrens, sandy pine forests, and pine-oak woodlands
Diet
Larvae: young pine needles. Adults: nectar from blueberry and plum
How common
Common

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