- Scientific name: Callophrys lanoraieensis
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
- Threatened (MA Endangered Species Act)
Description
Bog elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis)
The bog elfin (Callophrys lanoraieensis) is a small lycaenid butterfly with a wingspan of 22-24 mm (0.8-0.9 in) (Opler 1998). Like most gossamer-wings, the bog elfin rests with wings folded above its back. The upper side of the wings, hidden in this position, are uniform dark brown in color. The undersides of the wings are patterned with a patchwork of tan, pinkish-tan, rusty brown, black, and white. Overall, the bog elfin is similar in wing pattern to the pine elfin (Callophrys niphon), although it is noticeably smaller and darker. As compared to the pine elfin, the underside of the hind wing of the bog elfin tends to have more whitish-gray “frosting” at the wing margin, a more prominent black dot proximal to the frosted margin, and a black, relatively wide, smoothly curved, and continuous line proximal to the black dot (as opposed to the narrower, jagged, and broken line of the pine elfin).
Life cycle and behavior
In Massachusetts, bog elfin butterflies fly from mid-May through early June. Eggs hatch soon after they are laid, and larvae feed on new growth of black spruce (Picea mariana), pupating by July. Pupae overwinter.
Distribution and abundance
Massachusetts is at the southern edge of the range of the bog elfin, which extends north through Maine to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and west to southern Ontario and New York (Layberry et al. 1998). Within this relatively small range, the bog elfin is spottily distributed, except in Maine, Quebec, and New Brunswick, where large tracts of habitat support locally abundant populations. In Massachusetts, the bog elfin is only known from northern Worcester County.
Distribution in Massachusetts.
1999-2024
Based on records in the Natural Heritage Database.
Habitat
The bog elfin inhabits black spruce swamps and associated shrub swamps and bogs.
Healthy habitats are vital for supporting native wildlife and plants. Explore habitats and learn about conservation and restoration in Massachusetts.
Shrub swamp with black spruce, habitat for the bog elfin butterfly. Habitat managed by DCR in the Ware River Watershed.
Threats
The bog elfin is threatened by habitat loss and hydrologic alteration that disrupts the natural seasonal flooding of its habitat. Other potential threats include invasion by exotic plants, introduced generalist parasitoids, aerial insecticide spraying, clear-cut timber harvest, and excessive deer browse of black spruce saplings. A warming climate will likely be detrimental to the bog elfin, as it is a boreal species at the southern edge of the range in Massachusetts.
Conservation
Land protection and habitat management are the primary conservation needs of this species in Massachusetts. In particular, black spruce swamps (and associated shrub swamps and bogs) should be conserved, restored, and managed to maintain habitat for this species and other rare and threatened species dependent on such habitat.
Survey and monitoring
The distribution of the bog elfin in black spruce swamps is relatively well documented. Known populations of this species should be surveyed to document persistence at least once every 25 years; every 10 years is more desirable when practicable.
Management
Management of black spruce swamps (and associated shrub swamps and bogs) should include: restoring and/or maintaining natural hydrology; control of invasive exotic plants; and silviculture of black spruce to promote a diversity of age classes, from saplings to mature trees. Shrub and bog openings in the swamp should be maintained and growth of nectar sources promoted. Habitat condition should be monitored and management adapted as needed.
Research needs
The natural history and conservation needs of the bog elfin are relatively well known. However, the future effects of a warming climate on this species will likely be detrimental, and this should be monitored and documented.
References
Layberry, R.A., P.W. Hall, and J.D. Lafontaine. 1998. The Butterflies of Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 280 pp.
Opler, P.A. 1998. A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Massachusetts. 486 pp.
Contact
| Date published: | March 6, 2025 |
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