65 Records

The beautiful and elusive Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus) is another small, early-flying butterfly. Like several of its relatives, this species flies early in spring, and is often rather localized and rare. This butterfly is considered endangered/vulnerable in Maryland, with a state rank of S1 (highly-state-rare), and the species is also globally ranked as G3 (globally rare/local). In our area, Frosted Elfin is on the wing from late April to late May (Butterflies of Maryland: A Biological Summary and Checklist by Lynn Davidson & Richard Smith; Brock & Kaufman 2003).

The larval host plant is Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis). In some portions of its range, Frosted Elfin uses Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) as an alternative host.