Frosted Elfin Butterfly
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Scientific Name:
Callophyrys irus Native
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Description
A small, grayish brown butterfly with a single tail on each hindwing. Wingspan is approximately 1 inch.
Range and Habitat
Found throughout the eastern United States with localized, disjunct distribution in open woodlands, such as western upland longleaf pine forest, especially with indigo species (its host plant)
Behavior
Flight season is in spring. Overwinter in chysalis stage in leaf litter.
Population Status
Ranked globally as G3, ranked as S2S3 (rare to imperiled) in Louisiana, in part, due to localized distribution and fire suppression in preferred habitat.