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: 

  1. •  classified to C. gryneus nelsoni by some authorities

  2. •  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