North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon alea)
JPG -- species photo

Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon alea [Godman & Salvin])

Wing span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (1.9 - 2.9 cm).

Identification: One long tail on hindwing. Upperside dark gray. Underside gray with a complicated pattern of blotches near the wing base, an irregular brown postmedian line, and a submarginal stripe of small, brown triangular spots.

Life history: Caterpillars eat buds and flowers.

Flight: Possibly four broods from April-December in Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Bernardia myricaefolia in the Euphorbiaceae family.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Subtropical thorn scrub.

Range: Northwest Costa Rica north through Mexico to central and South Texas.

Conservation: All U. S. populations should be conserved.

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

Management needs: Manage habitat to retain necessary resources, including host and nectar plants.

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

Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon alea)
distribution map
map legend

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