 |
 
 |
|
|
|
Aquamarine Hairstreak (Oenomaus ortygnus [Cramer])
Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inches (3 - 3.8 cm).
Identification: Upperside blue with black borders. Underside gray with a pink sheen; no submarginal or postmedian lines. Hindwing has 3 or 4 black spots.
Life history: Eggs are laid singly on the host plant; caterpillars bore into and feed upon the buds, flowers and fruits.
Flight: January-November in Mexico, strayed to South Texas in mid-December.
Caterpillar hosts: Annona species.
Adult food: Not reported.
Habitat: Low elevation wet and dry tropical forests.
Range: Brazil north through Central America to Tamaulipas, Mexico. Rare stray to South Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for rare stray.
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: None reported.
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.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
|
 1999 -
All Rights Reserved
| |