The Brown Elfin is a small, tailless butterfly with unmarked, earthy-toned wings. Unlike many other elfins, it lacks any frosting or iridescence. The underside of the wings ranges from deep mahogany to lighter shades of brown near the edges, providing excellent camouflage among leaf litter and bark. The upperside is also brown and relatively plain. Males have a small, dark stigma patch on the forewing, used to release pheromones during courtship.

 

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Brown Elfin Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Theclinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 7/8 – 1 1/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Mixed conifer woods, barrens, bogs, sandy coasts, and chaparrals

 

🪴Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

• Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)

• Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Brown Elfin butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

• Chickweed (Stellaria spp.)

• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

• Early Saxifrage (Micranthes virginiensis)

• Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

• Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

• Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans)

• Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

• Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens)

• Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)