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
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.