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.

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).

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

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

Egg on Pitch Pine.

Caterpillar on Pitch Pine.

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

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