Family: Lycaenidae, Gossamer-wing Butterflies view all from this family

Description Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici, sometimes called the Woodland Elfin) is a North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. In Canada it is found from southern Manitoba to southern Nova Scotia. It has two main groups of populations in the USA: the first is found along the Atlantic Coast and uses various hollies (Ilex) as host plants; and the second is found mainly in the north and the Appalachians where they use Redbud (Cercis canadensis) as a host plant. Henry's Elfin is increasing in New England because of an introduced buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) it now uses as a host plant.

The upper side of the wings is a dark brown color. The underside of the wings is strongly two-toned with the basal area being dark brown-black. The hind wing postmedian line has white at both ends. The outer edge of the hind wing is frosted and the outer edge of the fore wing is sometimes green-toned. The hind wing has tails that are short and stubby. In the south east, these tails are longer. The male lacks a stigma. Henry's Elfin's wingspan measures 20 to 25 mm (0.79 to 0.98 in)

Dimensions 7/8-1 1/8" (22-28 mm).

Habitat Forests & woodlands, Meadows & fields, Scrub, shrub & brushlands.

Range Texas, New England, Plains, Eastern Canada, Southeast, Florida, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic.