Nelson's Hairstreak
Callophrys nelsoni (Boisduval, 1869)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upperside of male is dark brown with rusty orange patches on lower outer edges of wings; female is mostly tawny with dark margins. Underside is brown with a lilac tinge; hindwing postmedian line may be reduced or it is dark and usually outlined in white.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/8 inches (2.5 - 2.9 cm).
Life History: To seek females, males perch on host trees all day. Eggs are laid singly on tips of host plant leaves, which the caterpillars eat. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One brood from May-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), western red-cedar (Thuja plicata).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including buckbrush, pussy-paws, and composites.
Habitat: Openings in coniferous forests.
Range: Southern British Columbia and northwest Montana south through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada to the high-altitude mountains of southern California and Baja California Norte.
Conservation: Not usually of concern.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 266 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 05, 2014
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Humboldt County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 01, 2019
Observation date: Jul 07, 2018
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: El Dorado County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 31, 2018
Observation date: Jul 16, 2017
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: El Dorado County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2018
Observation date: Jun 07, 2018
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 05, 2018
Observation date: Jun 14, 2018
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2018
Observation date: Jun 16, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 24, 2018
Observation date: May 19, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 24, 2018
Observation date: Jun 27, 2017
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: Madera County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 15, 2017
Submitted by: pauhana
Region: Calaveras County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2017
Observation date: Jun 19, 2016
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2016
Observation date: Jun 27, 2016
Submitted by: TPeterson
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 09, 2016
Observation date: Jun 27, 2016
Submitted by: TPeterson
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 09, 2016
Observation date: Jun 19, 2016
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2016
Observation date: Jun 19, 2016
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2016
Observation date: Jun 16, 2016
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2016
Observation date: Apr 30, 2015
Submitted by: markmcc
Region: Kootenai County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Jul 27, 2015
Observation date: Jun 27, 2015
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2015
Observation date: Jun 10, 2013
Submitted by: Lindell Haggin
Region: Shoshone County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 09, 2015
Observation date: May 20, 2014
Submitted by: gritgirlwa
Region: King County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 22, 2014
Observation date: May 14, 2014
Submitted by: Melanie Weiss
Region: King County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 15, 2014
Observation date: May 05, 2013
Submitted by: carex17
Region: Multnomah County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 02, 2014
Observation date: Jun 11, 2010
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 14, 2013
Observation date: May 22, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 22, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
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