New Jersey Butterfly Club

A chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)

Eastern Pine Elfin

Callophrys niphon

Identification: Very small—size of thumbnail. Almost never seen with wings open. Below: Banded in various shades of brown with many small white check marks. Similar hairstreaks: Unlike any other NJ species.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Uncommon and local in North Jersey but fairly common and widespread in South Jersey. Usually seen as single individuals or in very small numbers.

NJ Range Map-Eastern Pine Elfin

Habitat: Open areas adjacent to woodlands with host plants. Not your typical garden butterfly.

Flight Period: One brood from mid-April to early June. Extreme dates: North Jersey 4/11—6/8; South Jersey 3/13—6/13.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Primarily White Pine (Pinus strobus) in North Jersey, and Pitch Pine (P. rigida) in South Jersey.

Overwintering Stage: Pupa.

Good Locations: Flatbrookville, Cheesequake SP, Jamesburg CP, Warren Grove RA.

Comments: Look for this attractive little butterfly in fields next to stands of White Pine and Pitch Pine. In North Jersey likes to nectar at early spring flowers such as spurges (Euphorbia spp.) and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).


Eastern Pine Elfin

Flatbrookville, Sussex Co., NJ, 5/11/08.


Eastern Pine Elfin

Female, ovipositing on Pitch Pine, Cape May Co., NJ, 4/18/19.


Eastern Pine Elfin egg

Egg on Pitch Pine.


Eastern Pine Elfin caterpillar

Caterpillar on Pitch Pine.


Pitch Pine

Pitch Pine, the main caterpillar food plant for Pine Elfin in South Jersey.


Eastern White Pine

In North Jersey, Pine Elfin uses Eastern White Pine as its main caterpillar food plant.