Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)

Uncommon and local in longleaf pine habitats in the coastal plain of NC. These small jewels are always great to see. Adults fly in the Spring and again in mid/late Summer into Fall.
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis), mated pair
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
11 Apr 2023

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis), mated pair
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
4 Oct 2018

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
25 Aug 2018

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Pender Co., NC
4 Oct 2018

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
25 Aug 2018

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
New Hanover Co., NC
26 Aug 2006

#3174
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Pender Co., NC
11 Sep 2016

Nectaring on Polygala lutea.


Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmarks often orient themselves "upside down"
after landing on a perch.
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
26 Aug 2012
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Craven Co., NC
31 Aug 2008

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
20 Apr 2017

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Pender Co., NC
11 Sep 2016
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
25 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
25 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
25 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
25 Sep 2016

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Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
28 Sep 2016

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Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
28 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
28 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
28 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
28 Sep 2016

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL
4 Mar 2017
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
4 Oct 2018

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
28 August 2005
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
29 August 2004

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
29 August 2004
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
29 August 2004

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
New Hanover Co., NC
26 Aug 2006
Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Collier Co., FL
17 Apr 2005

Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis) Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Carteret Co., NC
26 Aug 2006

Nectaring on Yellow Balduina (Balduina uniflora)


Deer's-tongue, Vanillaleaf (Carphephorus odoratissimus)
Craven Co., NC
27 Aug 2006

Most references state that Yellow Thistle is the caterpillar foodplant, but Bo Sullivan has found that in NC the primary foodplant is Vanillaleaf (AKA Vanilla-plant). The leaves smell pleasantly like vanilla when dry.

Deer's-tongue, Vanillaleaf (Carphephorus odoratissimus)
Craven Co., NC
27 Aug 2006

Flowers are good nectar sources for various butterfly species.

Deer's-tongue, Vanillaleaf (Carphephorus odoratissimus)
Craven Co., NC
27 Aug 2006

Sometimes placed in the genus Trilisa as Trilisa odoratissima.


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Created on ... September 3, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com