Marius Hairstreak (Rekoa marius [Cramer])
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Identification: Upperside of male dark iridescent blue; female gray. Hindwing has orange eyespot near tail.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Probably flies all year in Mexico; September-December in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Legumes, malpighias, and many other in several different families.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Disturbed tropical areas.
Range: Paraguay north to Sonora, Mexico. Rare stray to South 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
State and Regional References:
Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. Privately published, Denver, Colo.