Windwolf
Crex Meadows Butterflies... Hoary Elfin
Hoary Elfin
Callophrys polios
This is my first year seeing the Hoary Elfin on Crex Meadows. So far, all of my sightings of these butterflies has been in open areas or near woodland edges, with the butterfly perching low to the ground, often on a dead leaf or a blade of grass.
Hoary elfins are an early butterfly on Crex Meadows. Usually seen during the month of may, an early warm spring can bring them out in late April.
In Wisconsin, the Hoary elfin can be common locally where its food source is available, but is generally uncommon in the state with most of its sightings in the northern counties and in a few counties in the central areas of Wisconsin.
Picture taken April 27, 2010.
They are perchers and often found near their host plants.
They will chase each other, driving one away from a staked out territory. They are fast fliers when in pursuit.
Hoary Elfins are usually seen in the month of May with their lifespan being very short, from a few days to not much more than a week. They emerge, mate, lay eggs and die in this small window of time.
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).
Food: Bearberry and sometimes trailing arbutus.
The Hoary elfin caterpillar is often found near the flowers of the host plant. It overwinters as a pupae.
| Kingdom | Animalia | (Animals) |
| Phylum | Arthropoda | (Arthropods) |
| Superclass | Hexapoda | (Hexapods) |
| Class | Insecta | (Insects) |
| Subclass | Pterygota | (Winged Insects) |
| Order | Lepidoptera | (Butterflies and Moths) |
| Superfamily | Papilionoidea | (Butterflies) |
| Family | Lycaenidae | (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters) |
| Subfamily | Theclinae | (Hairstreak) |
| Genus | Callophrys | |
| Species | polios | (Hoary Elfin) |