North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Amethyst Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon maesites)

Amethyst Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon maesites [Herrich-Schäffer])

Wing span: 7/8 - 1 inch (2.2 - 2.5 cm).

Identification: Upper surface of male iridescent deep blue-purple; female dull gray-blue. Lower surface has thin postmedian line on yellow-green background.

Life history: Males perch in tree foliage 6-10 feet above ground.

Flight: Two or three flights in Florida from December-July.

Caterpillar hosts: Unknown in wild; caterpillars have fed on flower buds of Albizia lebbeck (Fabaceae) in the lab.

Adult food: In Florida, nectar from flowers of ape's earring, Brazilian pepper, Guamachil, and shepherd's needle.

Habitat: Subtropical evergreen or semideciduous woods and hammocks.

Range: Southeastern Florida peninsula and Keys; larger Caribbean Islands.

Conservation: Amount of habitat is restricted on the Florida Keys.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.

Management needs: Conserve all possible native habitats.

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

Amethyst Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon maesites)
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