Species Details
Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameWestern Pine Elfin
SeasonalityOne annual brood, flying in early May to late June with the peak activity in early June.
IdentificationThe Eastern Pine (C. niphon) is the only other elfin with a 'busy' hindwing underside, with more than just the single median band found in other elfins. The check marks that form a band along the outer third of the hindwing underside are much more evenly-shaped and sized in the Western compared to the Eastern Pine Elfin.
It is unclear which subspecies occurs in Alberta (N. Kondla, pers. comm.).
Scientific Name
Callophrys eryphon
Common Name
Western Pine Elfin
Habitat
Lodgepole pine forests of the foothills; uncommon in boreal jack pine woods.
Seasonality
One annual brood, flying in early May to late June with the peak activity in early June.
Identification
The Eastern Pine (C. niphon) is the only other elfin with a 'busy' hindwing underside, with more than just the single median band found in other elfins. The check marks that form a band along the outer third of the…
The Eastern Pine (C. niphon) is the only other elfin with a 'busy' hindwing underside, with more than just the single median band found in other elfins. The check marks that form a band along the outer third of the hindwing underside are much more evenly-shaped and sized in the Western compared to the Eastern Pine Elfin.
It is unclear which subspecies occurs in Alberta (N. Kondla, pers. comm.).
Life History
Poorly known for Alberta populations. In BC, the mature larva is dark velvet green with cream-coloured subdorsal and lateral stripes and a brown head (Hardy 1959). Larvae pupate amongst plant litter on the ground and…
Poorly known for Alberta populations. In BC, the mature larva is dark velvet green with cream-coloured subdorsal and lateral stripes and a brown head (Hardy 1959). Larvae pupate amongst plant litter on the ground and overwinter there (Hardy 1959). Adults perch at the tips of pine branches, and males will pursue moving objects (Bird et al. 1995).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on young needles of pine trees, primarily lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) (Layberry et al. 1998).
Range
Widespread throughout much of western North America, from the southern Northwest Territories south to New Mexico (Opler 1999). Sporadic in the east, ranging east along the southern Boreal forest to northern New…
Widespread throughout much of western North America, from the southern Northwest Territories south to New Mexico (Opler 1999). Sporadic in the east, ranging east along the southern Boreal forest to northern New Brunswick (Layberry et al 1998).
Citation
Page Citation for Callophrys eryphon
Page Citation
"Species Details - Callophrys eryphon, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2610. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Hardy, G. A.
Title
On the life history of Incisalia eryphon (Lycaenidae) on southern Vancouver Island.
Publication Date
1959
Series Title
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
Volume
13
Pages
70
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Specimen Information
There are 27 specimens of this Species.
UASM21112 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1911-05-15
UASM21113 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1912-04-21
UASM21114 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1926-05-28
UASM21115 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pocahontas
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-04-17
UASM21116 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-26
UASM21117 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1923-06-25
UASM21118 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1927-07-04
UASM21119 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-05-22
UASM21120 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1911-05-14
UASM21121 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1911-05-17
UASM21122 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1911-05-15
UASM21123 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1916-05-04
UASM25179 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1987-05-09
UASM25180 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1987-05-09
UASM25181 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, West Castle River Road
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1996-06-08
UASM25182 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, West Castle River Road
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1996-06-08
UASM25183 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1992-04-26
UASM25184 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Link Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1993-05-24
UASM25185 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1992-04-26
UASM25186 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, West Castle River Road
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1997-05-19
UASM25187 - Callophrys eryphon
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, West Castle River Road
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1997-05-19