North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Fulvous Hairstreak (Electrostrymon angelia)
JPG -- species photo

Fulvous Hairstreak (Electrostrymon angelia [Hewitson])

Wing span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (2 - 2.9 cm).

Identification: Hindwing with 2 tails. Upperside red-orange with black borders. Underside of hindwing gray-brown with large eyespot near lower tip of wing; postmedian line is white edged with black.

Life history: Eggs are laid singly on leaves and stems; caterpillars eat the leaves.

Flight: Many flights from January-November.

Caterpillar hosts: Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae).

Adult food: Nectar from flowers of Brazilian pepper, shepherd's needle, and sea grape.

Habitat: Edges of tropical hardwood hammocks.

Range: Southern Florida and the Keys, West Indies.

Conservation: Not required for species on non-indigenous hosts.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might 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

Fulvous Hairstreak (Electrostrymon angelia)
distribution map
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