Henry's Elfin

Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,336 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Henry's Elfin: observations by month (U.S.)

About Henry's Elfin

Callophrys henrici, the Henry's elfin or woodland elfin, is a North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. In Canada it is found from southern Manitoba to southern Nova Scotia. It has two main groups of populations in the United States; the first is found along the Atlantic Coast and uses various hollies (Ilex) as host plants; and the second is found mainly in the north and the Appalachians where they use redbud (Cercis canadensis) as a...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Henry's Elfin by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related butterflies (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)

Gray HairstreakStrymon melinus

Eastern Tailed-BlueEveres comyntas

Red-banded HairstreakCalycopis cecrops

Marine BlueLeptotes marina

Ceraunus BlueHemiargus ceraunus

Summer AzureCelastrina neglecta

Western Pygmy-BlueBrephidium exilis

Reakirt's BlueEchinargus isola

Photography tips

• Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
• Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
• Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.

FAQ