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: 

  1. •  recently colonized stands of cultivated Monterey pine in central coastal CA

  2. •  formerly western banded elfin

  3. •  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