Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307
Callophrys sheridanii
This record describes Callophrys sheridanii (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The small size, lack of a tail, and green underside are distinctive within its range to the Bramble Hairstreak complex ( C. affinis, dumetorum, perplexa, sheridanii , etc.). In the south there are other small green hairstreaks, but range can eliminate these throughout most of the range of Sheridan's Hairstreak. Identification within the Bramble complex is difficult, but some members of this species can be identified by the complete white postmedian line.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Theclinae
- Tribe
- Eumaeini
- Genus
- Callophrys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Valleys and hillsides, usually in open areas.
Geographic Range
Western United States, north to British Columbia and Alberta.
Seasonal Activity
Spring, but this varies with altitude.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host plants are species of buckwheat, Eriogonum sp. Adults feed on nectar.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Callophrys sheridanii. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307
What is Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307?
Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307 (Callophrys sheridanii) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307?
Wingspan is 20-29 mm
How do you identify Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307?
The small size, lack of a tail, and green underside are distinctive within its range to the Bramble Hairstreak complex ( C. affinis, dumetorum, perplexa, sheridanii , etc.). In the south there are other small green hairstreaks, but range can eliminate these throughout most of the range of Sheridan's Hairstreak. Identification within the Bramble complex is difficult, but some members of this species can be identified by the complete white postmedian line.
Where is Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Valleys and hillsides, usually in open areas. |
| Range | Western United States, north to British Columbia and Alberta. |
What does Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307 eat?
The diet of the Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307 includes Larval host plants are species of buckwheat, Eriogonum sp. Adults feed on nectar..
When is Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307 active?
Sheridan's Hairstreak - Hodges#4307: seasonal activity - Spring, but this varies with altitude..