Hoary Elfin
May 2021
The Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios) is an extremely tiny hairstreak butterfly that is mostly brown displaying a slightly blush tone, with silvery-white frosting along the edges of both the hindwing and forewing. This feature is helpful in differentiating from the similar Frosted Elfin which only has the light detail on the hindwing. They like to stick low to the ground for the most part but are strong flyers.
May 2021
Hoary Elfins are perfectly adept at blending in with the pine bark, lichen and moss found in these sandy coniferous areas and the species is so small and difficult to track that you can lose sight in a hurry!! Check out this individual and how perfectly-matched the butterfly is to the wooded area.
May 2021
Here’s a nice look at a Hoary Elfin that flew into view almost immediately after I got out of the car. This was the day that I first saw the species and I was so excited when it landed on the lightly colored grass and there was enough contrast to get one of my first images of this hairstreak in a perfect environment.
May 2025
Like most hairstreaks, these Hoary Elfins with pick a favorite perch to defend their flower patch, or breeding territory and will continuously return after chasing off competitors. I often see many of the butterflies in a small area chasing each other around!!
