Pearly-gray Hairstreak (Siderus tephraeus)
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).
Identification: Upperside of male iridescent blue; forewing apex black; large oval black and brown patch in cell. Female duller blue with blackish forewing apex. Underside pale gray with white streaks barely obvious against the background.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Many flights from May-December in Mexico; November in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Not reported; presumably flower nectar.
Habitat: Lowland tropical forests, particularly along rivers.
Range: Brazil north through Mexico. Rare stray to lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare tropical stray.
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:
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.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann