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Callophrys johnsoni Ballmer & Pratt, 1992
Johnson's Hairstreak; Mistletoe Hairstreaks
Family: Lycaenidae (Gossamer Wings)
Species account authors: Crispin Guppy and Jon Shepard.
Extracted from Butterflies of British Columbia.
Introduction to the Lepidoptera of BC
Introduction to the Butterflies of BC
The Families of Lepidoptera of BC

Photograph

© Ian Lane     (Photo ID #674)

Map

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Distribution of Callophrys johnsoni in British Columbia.
(Click on the map to view a larger version.)
Source: Butterflies of British Columbia by Crispin Guppy and Jon Shepard © Royal BC Museum

Species Information


Adult

Johnson's Hairstreak is identical to the Thicket Hairstreak except that the ground colour of the upperside of the wings is dark brown, not grey blue.

Immature Stages

Undescribed.

Subspecies

None. The type locality of the species is Seattle, WA.

Genus Description


The genus Loranthomitoura is named after the larval foodplants, mistletoe (family Loranthaceae), and after the related genus Mitoura. The common name for the genus, "mistletoe hairstreaks," refers to the larval foodplants being mistletoe species; it is used here for the first time.

This genus and Mitoura are separated from Callophrys and Incisalia by the spatulate (flattened) cornuti and the presence of distinct tails on the hindwing. The ventral wing pattern of Loranthomitoura is typical of the Theclini, with strong postmedian white lines. Larvae feed on tree mistletoes, hence the name. For this reason adults are seen only when they are nectaring on flowers of perennial or annual plants at ground level or on low shrubs. They are never seen flying in an open meadow. The genus is Nearctic, with four species. Ballmer and Pratt (1992b) characterize the genus based on first instar larval morphology.

Biology


Johnson's Hairstreak flies from late May to early July. Eggs are laid and the life cycle reaches pupation in a short time. The butterfly overwinters in the pupal stage. The species was first observed as larvae on mistletoe by C.V. Piper in Seattle (Skinner 1904). Since then various rearings by the FIS and D.V. McCorkle (pers. comm.) have established that the larvae are usually found feeding on Arceuthohium spp. parasitizing western hemlock. Forest industry mistletoe eradication, and Bt spraying to eradicate Gypsy Moth introductions, will result in Johnson's Hairstreak becoming increasingly rare.

Habitat


Johnson's Hairstreak is known only from southeastern Vancouver Island and the Lower Fraser Valley east to Hope. The larvae feed on mistletoes growing on western hemlock at elevations below 625 m.

Distribution

Distribution

Johnson's Hairstreak is found from southwestern BC south to central CA west of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains, and in a group of disjunct populations in Baker Co., OR, and adjacent ID.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS1S2RedNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Loranthomitoura johnsoni

General References

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