Status: rare resident
Flights: 1, Mar-Jun
Distribution/known sites in Monterey County: limited to stands of Bishop/Monterey pine; Jack’s Peak, Palo Corona
Habitats: pine forests
Host plants: Bishop and Monterey pines, esp. young trees
Adult food: flower nectar
Conservation: pitch canker pine disease may impact this species
Remarks:
• recently colonized stands of cultivated Monterey pine in central coastal CA
• formerly western banded elfin
• sexes similar; male chocolate-brown, female warmer orange-brown
Western Pine Elfin Callophrys eryphon
Life history facts
egg: laid at the base of young needles
larva: feed on young needles and catkins
pupa: hibernate, adults emerge in spring
adult: males perch on small trees/shrubs in forest clearings for females
Monterey pines, Jack’s peak