Johnson's Hairstreak (Callophrys johnsoni [Skinner])
Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).
Identification: Upperside of males rusty brown, females more orange. Underside gray-brown, darker toward wing bases. Postmedian line is white bordered with black on the inside edge.
Life history: Eggs are laid on the host; caterpillars feed on all exposed parts of the plant. Chrysalids hibernate in the mistletoe mass.
Flight: One flight from May-July.
Caterpillar hosts: Pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium campylopodum) which grows on conifers.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Coniferous forests, especially old-growth.
Range: Very local and scarce. Pacific Slope mountains from British Columbia south to central California.
Conservation: All populations are worthy of conservation concern.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).
Management needs: Maintain old-growth forests with this species' habitat requirements.
References:
Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates. Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
State and Regional References:
Ferris, C.D. and F.M. Brown. 1980. Butterflies of the Rocky Mountain States. University of Oklahoma Press. Norman. Layberry, R.A., Hall, P.W. & Lafontaine, D.J., 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, ON. 280 pp. Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. Privately published, Denver, Colo. Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.