 |
 
 |
|
|
|
Coastal Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum [Boisduval])
Wing span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).
Identification: No tails. Upperside of male gray; female yellowish at least in center of both wings. Underside of forewing gray with extensive blue-green. Underside of hindwing blue-green with complete or much reduced postmedian line of white spots capped with black.
Life history: Males perch near host plants all day to watch for females. Eggs are laid under leaves and on flower buds. Caterpillars eat leaves, flowers, and young fruits. Chrysalids hibernate in debris under the host plant.
Flight: One flight from March-May.
Caterpillar hosts: Eriogonum latifolium and occasionally deerweed (Lotus scoparius) and others.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Coastal hills and dunes, rarely chaparral.
Range: Coastal California, rarely inland sites.
Conservation: Although not listed, the total range is small and all population sites should be protected.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: All populations should be protected and managed if necessary.
References:
Emmel, T. C. and J. F. Emmel. 1973. The butterflies of southern California.
Science Series 26. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los
Angeles, California. 148 pages, 10 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
|
 1999 -
All Rights Reserved
| |