Juniper Hairstreak Butterfly

Butterfly season is in full swing here in New England. My goal this year is to see (and photograph) as many new butterflies as I can. To that end I took a drive to Woburn Ma, in early May, for a visit with some friends and an afternoon inspecting foliage at Horn Pond.

I was in search of the Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus), a tiny butterfly that is beautifully camouflaged when hanging out on its host plant (junipers). In other words, unless you are unusually lucky, this is not butterfly you are going to accidentally run across in your rambling.

I had a plan. I had researched where these hairstreaks had been seen recently, I knew what plants to look for (Eastern Red Cedar aka Juniper). I had good butterfly weather (warm and sunny) and a plan to see friends so all would not be lost if I failed in my butterfly quest.

For three hours I looked at every cedar on the property. No luck. I resigned myself to missing the butterfly. It wouldn’t be the first time I had driven hours for a miss.

Fortunately, I had a great time catching up with my friends. We went to a Brazilian buffet for a late lunch, where I bemoaned my lack of Hairstreaks and got caught up on the gossip. After lunch they dropped my at my van and I got ready to head home. I was about to turn the key in the ignition, but paused. I had to give it one more go. It was getting late, and a light wind had picked up, but I couldn’t go home without one last try. I locked the van and headed back up the trail.

An hour later I was on a hilltop, enjoying the view and taking one last look around when movement caught my eye. I glanced over to a nearby juniper and sure enough something small and dark was flying around it. I lost sight of it and froze, waiting for it to return. It did. Still a dark “something.” I followed it with my eyes until it landed and YES!

There half hidden in the foliage was a tiny green, brown and white butterfly about the size of my thumbnail. (I did a little happy dance.) I watched it for 20 minutes or so, amazed at how easily it disappeared into the tree. Finally, remembering the long drive ahead of me, I stopped watching and let it fade into invisibility.

Well worth the trip.

Thanks for looking,



Stay well, be curious, love diversity,

Kate

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