Black Hairstreak (Ocaria ocrisia [Hewitson])
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 inch (2.2 - 2.5 cm).
Identification: Upper surface charcoal black to charcoal gray with narrow blue edging on hindwing.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: One flight in South Texas in early November; throughout the year in Central America.
Caterpillar hosts: Flowers of Paullinia in Brazil; live oak in Costa Rica.
Adult food: Not reported.
Habitat: Disturbed tropical sites at low to moderate elevations.
Range: Argentina north to Mexico. One stray recorded in South 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. Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann