Status: rare, local resident?
Flights: 1, Apr-Jul?
Distribution/known sites in Monterey County: historical records only; no known sites or recent records
Habitats: mixed conifer forests with incense cedar
Host plants: incense cedar, rarely juniper
Adult food: flower nectar including buckbrush, pussy paws, composites
Conservation: none needed
Remarks:
• classified to C. gryneus nelsoni by some authorities
• male above is dark brown with rusty orange patches on lower outer edges of wings; female tawny with dark margins
Nelson’s hairstreak Callophrys nelsoni
Life history facts
egg: laid singly on tips of host plant leaves
larva: feed on tips of host plant leaves
pupa: hibernates
adult: males territorial, defend perches on host trees all day seeking females
awaiting photo