Summary ⁵

The Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) is a butterfly native to North America. It belongs in the family Lycaenidae.

Description ⁶

For a key to the terms used see Lepidopteran glossary

The Juniper Hairstreak has many subspecies or races, some of which may even be separate species. The upper side of the "Olive" Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus gryneus) is tawny orange or a bronzy color in males, and blackish brown in females. The underside of the wings is bright green with a variable amount of brown scaling. There are two white postbasal spots and a white zigzag postmedian line edged inward with brown on the hind wing.

Larva Description ⁵

The larvae are vivid green with a faint middorsal stripe that begins at the thorax and runs down the abdomen. Whitish-yellow spots occur on either side of the middorsal stripe. A whitish-yellow subspiracular stripe (sometimes broken between segments) runs the length of the body.

Larval Host Plants ⁷

Host plants are several genera of tree Cupressacea including Redcedar (Juniperus viginiana), California juniper (J. californica), Utah juniper (J. osteosperma) and Pinacea. Larvae eat foliage tips.

GTM Occurrence ⁷

The Juniper Hairstreak is considered an uncommon species at the GTM. This species was only observed on the open habitat of Transect A. It occurs in March and with peak abundance in August and September. There have been 12 specimens observed as of December 28, 2015. Eleven of the 12 individuals were observed in August and September, 2009; the other individual was observed in March, 2011.

Distribution ⁸

Global Range: Between the various taxa now included in this species they occupy much of the USA with at least one subspecies reported from probably all of the lower 48 states. Also enters parts of northern Mexico and extreme southern Canada.

North american ecology (us and canada) ⁹

Callophrys gryneus is resident in several non-contiguous populations across the United States and into southwestern Canada (Scott 1986). Habitats are lower Austral/upper Sonoran to Hudsonian zone dry or rocky open areas wherever juniper-like trees occur.

Nature serve conservation status ¹⁰

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Eastern (typical) subspecies and some western ones are common over substantial areas.

Other Considerations: Hosts grow in disturbed areas; often benefits from human activity.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7457894@N04/2752777787
2. (c) khteWisconsin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/9600117@N03/4128083626/
3. (c) Mary Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/38514062@N03/14437303020/
4. (c) GTMResearchReserve, all rights reserved, uploaded by GTMResearchReserve
5. Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callophrys_gryneus
6. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callophrys_gryneus
7. (c) GTMResearchReserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
8. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28746203
9. (c) Leslie Ries, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/19606387
10. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28746197

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CalPhotos
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

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