Henry’s Elfin
Callophrys henrici

Henry’s Elfin is a univoltine species that flies in March and April. It is uncommon statewide, but it is very local, although it is sometimes found in good numbers where the hostplants are plentiful. Two subspecies occur: The subspecies C. h. henrici occurs in the montane regions, the Mountains and the Ridge and Valley, and in the Piedmont to the Fall Line. The subspecies C.h. yahwehus, described by Ron Gatrelle in 1999 (International Lepidoptery Survey-Taxonomic Report), occurs on the Coast and in the Lower Coastal Plain to the Alabama line (Gatrelle). Lucien Harris believed that the Florida subspecies, C.h. margaretae, occurred on the Georgia Coast (Butterflies of Georgia 1972), but Gatrelle established that only C.h. yahwehus occurs there. The hostplant for the montane subspecies, C. h. henrici, is redbud (Cercis canadensis). In Walker County, females have been seen crawling in fallen redbud flowers. The hostplants for C. h. yahwehus in the coastal region is yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) and dahoon (Ilex cassine), which occurs mainly in wet areas. Inland populations of C.h. yahwehus use American holly (Ilex opaca). The flight begins on the Coast in late February or early March and continues into late April. The flight begins in the montane regions in mid-March and continues into early May. Early Date: March 2 (McIntosh County); Late Date: April 17 (Fulton County). Conservation Status: Secure.