subspecies C.h. margaretae. C. henrici -Adults begin to fly in late January (Gatrelle, 1999) or February in the southern part of the range and not until nearly three months later in Manitoba (Table I). Within a region, emergence is highly dependent on weather variables. Peak flight in Wisconsin usually occurs between 23 May and 26 May in northern Wisconsin. Butterflies fly slightly later in the bog areas (May 28). In central Wisconsin henrici peak flight can occur between May 4 and May 30 (Swengel and Swengel, 2000). Henry’s elfin begins to fly about one week later at sites in Michigan (Nielsen, 1999). The earliest observation in Minnesota was recorded on 4 May 1980 (Huber, R.). In New Jersey adults can be found most years through a 4-6 week http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-... Similar species in Henry's Elfin's range include the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), the Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus), and the Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios). The Frosted Elfin is slightly larger, males have a stigma, the underside of the hind wing has more frosting, and there is usually a dark spot near the hind wing outer margin.[3] The Brown Elfin is more reddish-brown, males have a stigma, it lacks hind wing tails, and the underside of the hind wing has no frosting.[3] The Hoary Elfin is smaller, males have a stigma, it lacks hindwing tails, the underside of the hind wing outer margin is completely frosted, and the fore wing outer margin is also frosted.[3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry%27s_E... Specimens collected by John Abbot in the 1800’s in coastal Georgia and later identified as henrici came from swampy areas (Scudder, 1889). Abbot recognized the use of redbud as a nectar source only. Ilex is the dominant larval host in these states. Ilex cassine grows in wet areas along the coastal plain and is the primary foodplant of subspecies margaretae in east coastal Florida. Ilex cassine and I. vomitoria both grow along the coast west into Mississippi. Ilex opaca also ranges westward into Mississippi but tolerates drier situations so may be used by inland populations. Subspecies margaretae was described from individuals in the forested area of central Florida with abundant Ilex cassine. In these areas the butterflies nectar on flowers of willow and may be seen high in pine trees (Gatrelle, 1999). Subspecies yahwehus is present in the Florida panhandle and eastern Georgia near Savannah. It likely follows Ilex westward to at least Mississippi and perhaps into Texas. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-... DEEP SOUTH Florida S4 western: yahwehus? 2 east coast/south central: margaretae 2 http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Callop... http://butterfliesofamerica.com/callophr...
3 Comments
I looked at them Mick and I still can not make an ID- I looked at several data banks. Heres what I came up with! And I'm still not sure?
http://www.abirdshome.com/resource/pa/29...
Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
http://www.butterfliesofmassachusetts.ne...
http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/butterflie...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/398704/bgp...
Frosted elfin Frosted Elfin - Callophrys irus
http://bugguide.net/node/view/5449
There is a moss elfin
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/callophr...
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/callophr...
Western pine elfin
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/callophr...
The hoary elfin
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/con...
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/imagehtm...
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Callop...
Brown elfin
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Callop...
Bog Elfin Callophrys lanoraieensis- it is very rare
http://www.xerces.org/bog-elfin/
http://www.butterfliesofmassachusetts.ne...
The Bog Elfin and the Eastern Pine Elfin are actually closely related, and fall into the pine-feeding group of elfins- subspecies C.h. margaretae.
Wind's Elfin butterfly
http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profi...
I Cannot find a photo.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-...
subspecies C.h. margaretae.
C. henrici -Adults begin to fly in late January (Gatrelle, 1999) or February in the southern part of the range and not until nearly three months later in Manitoba (Table I). Within a region, emergence is highly dependent on weather variables. Peak flight in Wisconsin usually occurs between 23 May and 26 May in northern Wisconsin. Butterflies fly slightly later in the bog areas (May 28). In central Wisconsin henrici peak flight can occur between May 4 and May 30 (Swengel and Swengel, 2000). Henry’s elfin begins to fly about one week later at sites in Michigan (Nielsen, 1999). The earliest observation in Minnesota was recorded on 4 May 1980 (Huber, R.). In New Jersey adults can be found most years through a 4-6 week
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-...
Similar species in Henry's Elfin's range include the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), the Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus), and the Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios).
The Frosted Elfin is slightly larger, males have a stigma, the underside of the hind wing has more frosting, and there is usually a dark spot near the hind wing outer margin.[3]
The Brown Elfin is more reddish-brown, males have a stigma, it lacks hind wing tails, and the underside of the hind wing has no frosting.[3]
The Hoary Elfin is smaller, males have a stigma, it lacks hindwing tails, the underside of the hind wing outer margin is completely frosted, and the fore wing outer margin is also frosted.[3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry%27s_E...
Specimens collected by John Abbot in the 1800’s in coastal Georgia and later identified as henrici came from swampy areas (Scudder, 1889). Abbot recognized the use of redbud as a nectar source only. Ilex is the dominant larval host in these states. Ilex cassine grows in wet areas along the coastal plain and is the primary foodplant of subspecies margaretae in east coastal Florida. Ilex cassine and I. vomitoria both grow along the coast west into Mississippi. Ilex opaca also ranges westward into Mississippi but tolerates drier situations so may be used by inland populations. Subspecies margaretae was described from individuals in the forested area of central Florida with abundant Ilex cassine. In these areas the butterflies nectar on flowers of willow and may be seen high in pine trees (Gatrelle, 1999). Subspecies yahwehus is present in the Florida panhandle and eastern Georgia near Savannah. It likely follows Ilex westward to at least Mississippi and perhaps into Texas.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-...
DEEP SOUTH
Florida S4 western: yahwehus? 2
east coast/south central: margaretae 2
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Callop...
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/callophr...
Also found a confused cloudywing specimen
Thorybes confusis E. Bell, 1923
(Confused Cloudywing)
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/thorybes...
Florida whites
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Glutop...
Thanks, Mick. I will take a look at those two butterfly's. I spent hours looking for this ID yesterday. I really appreciate the assistance!!
Only two N. American Pine butterflies I have listed in Audubon is nearest possible ID Western Pine Elfin and the Pine White?