North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature




The Registry of Nature Habitats

U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Northern Mexico

Xami Hairstreak (Callophrys [Xamia] xami)
JPG -- species photo

Xami Hairstreak (Callophrys xami [Reakirt])

Wing span: 3/4 - 1 1/4 inches (2 - 3.2 cm).

Identification: Hindwing with 1 short and 1 long tail. Upperside of male brown; female reddish brown. Underside hindwing is yellow-green with jagged white postmedian line forming a W near tails.

Life history: Eggs are laid singly on underside of host plant leaves near the base. Caterpillars eat their way into the thick leaves.

Flight: Many flights from April-December.

Caterpillar hosts: Succulents (Sedum and Echeveria species) in the Crassulaceae family.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Rocky canyons and slopes, levees.

Range: Guatemala north to southeastern Arizona and central Texas.

Conservation: Colonies in United States are small and local. South Texas population is extirpated.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: Determine status of South Texas population and conserve habitats elsewhere.

References:


Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern  butterflies. Peterson 

    field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,  Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.



Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford  University Press, 

    Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.



Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies.  Houghton-Mifflin Co., 

    Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:


Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised 

     edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.



Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. 

     Privately published, Denver, Colo.

Xami Hairstreak (Callophrys [Xamia] xami)
distribution map
map legend

Disclaimer
Return to species list
Return to Butterflies of North America main page