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Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici)

Family: Lycaenidae
FNAI State Rank: S3S4

Range: throughout Florida south to approximately Lake Okeechobee
Seasonal Occurrence: late Februrary through April

Habitat: wide variety of wet areas with a brush understory
Host Plants: dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), American holly (Ilex opaca), redbud (Cercis canadensis)

One of the earliest butterflies to emerge, this species is a harbinger of spring. The adult butterflies often use willows or redbud as a nectaring source.

Information on seasonal occurrence and host plant in Florida is extracted from Glassberg et al. (2000) Butterflies through Binoculars: Florida, Oxford University Press, and Cech et al. (2005) Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer's Guide, Princeton University Press.