Status:  rare resident

Flights:  1+?, Mar-Sep?


Distribution/known sites in Monterey County:  inner coast range (Gabilans): Chalone Pks., Parkfield area; upper Pine Cyn. Rd.


Habitats:  coniferous forest openings, foothills and mountains

Host plants:  dwarf mistletoe on conifers

Adult food:  male mud-puddles, both sexes nectar at buckwheats & composites


Conservation:  none needed


Remarks: 

  1. •  often sits on warm pavement

  2. •  males spend much time in crowns of conifers

  3. •  male steel-blue above with wide, dark margins; female wider margins, restricted blue esp. FW

Thicket hairstreak Callophrys spinetorum

 

Life history facts


egg: laid singly on mistletoe

larva: feeds on all parts of mistletoe

pupa: hibernates in mistletoe mass

adult:  males seek females on hilltop trees

dirt road in parkfield area mudding