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.

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.

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

Moore Co., NC 4/20/05.

A well worn individual.

Granville Co., NC 5/25/09.