Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)

Uncommon and local in parts of the west and northwestern US into southwestern Canada.
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 May 2014

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
22 May 2014
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Nectaring on Erythronium grandiflorum
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
22 May 2014

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Nectaring on Claytonia lanceolata
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
13 Apr 2015
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
17 Apr 2015

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
21 Apr 2015
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
1 May 2015

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
2 May 2015
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
2 May 2015

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii) Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
18 Apr 2016

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
9 Apr 2016
Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 Apr 2016

Moss' Elfin (Callophrys mossii)
Mt.Baldy, MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
19 Apr 2016

Same individual, photographed at two different times during hindwing rubbing.


Moss' Elfin caterpillar food plant, Wormleaf Stonecrop (Sedum stenopetalum)
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
21 May 2014

Across the continent, Moss' Elfin caterpillars have been reported eating various species of Sedum, Dudleya, Sedella, and Parvisedum.


Moss' Elfin habitat
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
21 May 2014

I first found the elfins basking in the dirt road. There's lots of stonecrop in the meadows surrounding the road.


Moss' Elfin habitat
MPG Ranch, Missoula Co., MT
21 May 2014

Here's a nearby but different site with stonecrop and elfins.



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Created on ... May 19, 2014 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com