Dusky-blue Groundstreak (Calycopis isobeon [Butler & Druce])
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Identification: Two tails on the hindwing. Underside of both wings gray-brown; inner edge of postmedian line bordered narrowly with red-orange. Underside of hindwing has eyespot at lower apex with equal amounts of orange and black.
Life history: Eggs are laid in leaf litter on the ground. Caterpillars eat dead leaves and fruits, and detritus.
Flight: Many flights from January-September in Texas and Mexico.
Caterpillar hosts: Dead leaves and fruits, and detritus, especially under trees in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical valley bottoms and lowland forest edges.
Range: Venezuela north through Central America and Mexico to central and South Texas. Strays into Mississippi and Kansas.
Conservation: Not usually required.
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 G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the Great Plains. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates. 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