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Silver-banded Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis [Drury])
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Identification: Upperside of male brown with purple iridescence; female dull gray. Underside of both wings green with silver-white postmedian band.
Life history: Eggs are laid singly on host plant fruits; caterpillars live inside the fruit pod and eat the young seeds.
Flight: Two flights from August-December.
Caterpillar hosts: In Florida: Balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum) of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). Many other hosts in other parts of the range.
Adult food: Nectar from flowers of balloon vine and Antigonon leptotus.
Habitat: Openings and edges of dry tropical forests or scrub, Sonoran Desert.
Range: Argentina north to southern Arizona, South Texas, southern Florida and the Keys.
Conservation: Habitats in United States are limited in extent.
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: Preserve all possible native habitats in United States.
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.
Smith, D. S., L. D. Miller, and J. Y. Miller. 1994. The butterflies of the West
Indies and South Florida. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 264 pages, 32
color plates.
Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,
Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
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 1999 -
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