Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon alea [Godman & Salvin])
Wing span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (1.9 - 2.9 cm).
Identification: One long tail on hindwing. Upperside dark gray. Underside gray with a complicated pattern of blotches near the wing base, an irregular brown postmedian line, and a submarginal stripe of small, brown triangular spots.
Life history: Caterpillars eat buds and flowers.
Flight: Possibly four broods from April-December in Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Bernardia myricaefolia in the Euphorbiaceae family.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical thorn scrub.
Range: Northwest Costa Rica north through Mexico to central and South Texas.
Conservation: All U. S. populations should be conserved.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.
Management needs: Manage habitat to retain necessary resources, including host and nectar plants.
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