Western Pine Elfin

Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,574 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

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 Western Pine Elfin: observations by month (U.S.)

About Western Pine Elfin

The western pine elfin (Callophrys eryphon) is a North American butterfly that ranges from British Columbia east to Maine and south to southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Males are brown and females are orange-brown, with both having bold patterned hind wings. The top of the wings have dark bars with a lighter chevron shaped margin. The body is 19–32 mm in length and has no tail.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Western Pine 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