Western brown elfin butterfly

I photographed this irridescent butterfly yesterday in Kelowna near Mission Creek Park.

Elfin butterflies include a number of species; the brown elfin is common throughout most of North America, found in coniferous forests.  The adults are active in the spring and lay eggs individually in undeveloped flower buds of heath, salal, blueberry and huckleberry.  The egg hatches and the young caterpillar immediately begins feeding on the host plant, consuming bud, flower, and fruit.  

In the fall, the caterpillar falls from the plant, undergoes metamorphosis, and forms a chrysalis.  It overwinters as such and emerges from its winter chamber in the spring to repeat the life cycle.

This is the first elfin butterfly I have ever photographed.  I was enthralled by the iridescent colour play of the wings.  I had to follow a number of individuals until one landed long enough to be photographed.  I managed to get a few good shots off of this one; it posed perfectly for me at right angles to the sunlight, allowing me to get a decent profile of it.  The adult stages don't last long; I imagine they will be gone in a few weeks.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com