22 years of searching for a butterfly the size of a penny

When venturing out into the bogs of New England, if you look carefully and are exceedingly lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the Bog Elphin butterfly. These tiny butterflies, about as big as a penny, lack tails and have a wingspan of just one inch.

small brown bog elfin butterfly

The bog elfin primarily inhabits acidic black spruce and tamarack bogs, relying on black spruce as its host plant. Their exceptional camouflage makes them incredibly difficult to spot, and they have a brief adult flight period from mid-May to early June. There is only one generation per year. By the beginning of July, the larvae reach maturity and spend most of the year in the pupal stage.

Among butterflies in eastern North America, the range of the bog elfin is remarkably limited. It is known to occur in only a few New England states and Canadian provinces, with fewer than 50 documented occurrences. However, some populations in and near Maine contain thousands of individuals.

The recent exciting news is that just this May, a bog elfin butterfly was documented for the first time in Vermont!

After an arduous 22-year search, biologist Bryan Pfeiffer made an extraordinary discovery in northern Vermont - the elusive bog elfin butterfly.

This is a story of unyielding hope and determination. Each spring, Pfeiffer continued his annual search, refusing to be discouraged until he finally found the bog elfin butterfly.

While environmental news often seems filled with doom and gloom, this story serves as a powerful reminder that hope and tenacity can prevail. In the face of the climate crisis, let us approach it with the same determination as Bryan Pfeiffer and refuse to give up on the possibility of greatness. Together, we can win the fight for our planet and preserve our environment for future generations.

More soon,

Rob