Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

Eastern Pine Elfin is a fairly rare butterfly in North Carolina, despite the butterfly host plants (young pine trees) being abundant in the state. This individual that had been nectaring on blackberry blossoms (Rubus argutus).

Franklin Co., NC 4/24/02.

Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

Randy Emmitt and I found five stunningly patterened Pine Elfins, including the one to the left, which was laying eggs, while looking for Frosted Elfins in Franklin Co., NC 4/24/02.

Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

This one's showing a little of the brown upper surface of its hindwing.

Moore Co., NC 4/20/05.

Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

A well worn individual.

Granville Co., NC 5/25/09.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.