Lotus Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,245 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
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.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G4.
When to photograph Lotus Hairstreak: observations by month (U.S.)
About Lotus Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum, the coastal green hairstreak, bramble green hairstreak, or bluish green hairstreak, is butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in the United States in coastal California and rarely in inland California. Subspecies C. d. oregonensis is known as the Oregon green hairstreak.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Lotus Hairstreak by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,080 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Oregon | 140 | May | May–Jun |
| Washington | 25 | April | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Gray Hairstreak
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Red-banded Hairstreak
Marine Blue
Ceraunus Blue
Summer Azure
Western Pygmy-Blue
Reakirt's Blue
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
When is the best time to photograph Lotus Hairstreak?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Lotus Hairstreak most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.