Sonoran Hairstreak (Hypostrymon critola [Hewitson])
Wing span:
Identification: Upperside blue; male with large black spot. Underside gray with darker streaks and orange postmedian line.
Life history:
Flight: May and September in Arizona, throughout the year in Mexico.
Caterpillar hosts:
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Desert scrub along streamsides.
Range: Southwest Mexico into southern Arizona; southern Baja California.
Conservation: Any United States populations should be conserved.
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: None reported.
References:
Brown, J. W., H. G. Real, and D. K. Faulkner. Butterflies of Baja California. 1992. Lepidoptera Research Foundation, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA. 129 pages, 8 color plates. Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann