North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Red-lined Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bebrycia)
JPG -- species photo

Red-lined Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bebrycia [Hewitson])

Wing span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).

Identification: One long tail on hindwing. Upperside gray. Underside of hindwing gray with white submarginal spots; red-orange postmedian line capped with white toward the outer edge of the wing.

Life history: Males perch on hilltop bushes to find receptive females.

Flight: Possibly three broods in South Texas from February-December; flies all year in Mexico.

Caterpillar hosts: Balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum) in the Sapindaceae family.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Subtropical thorn scrub, desert scrub.

Range: Northwest Costa Rica north through Mexico. Rare vagrant to South Texas and southern Arizona.

Conservation: Not required for rare 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: Not 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

Red-lined Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bebrycia)
distribution map
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