North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Pearly-gray Hairstreak (Siderus tephraeus)
JPG -- species photo

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

Pearly-gray Hairstreak (Siderus tephraeus)
distribution map
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