Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273
Chlorostrymon simaethis
This record describes Chlorostrymon simaethis (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing is green (ranging from bright lime-green to dull greenish-brown) with straight white postmedian band. Wide maroon/brown trailing edge of HW. Dorsal, male is dark purple, female gray.
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
- Chlorostrymon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Thorn scrub, and dry woodland, usually found around balloon-vine.
Geographic Range
CA-TX, FL / W. Indies / Mex. to Argentina - Map (MPG, BOA)
Seasonal Activity
March to June and September to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars feed on immature seeds of Balloon-vines ( Cardiospermum spp.). Adults feed on nectar of balloon vines and also Lantana spp. and various other plants with tiny flowers.
Life History
The caterpillars, which hide within the Cardiospermum seed pods, reportedly secrete honeydew which attracts ants; the ants in tern defend the caterpillars from predators.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chlorostrymon simaethis (Drury, 1773)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chlorostrymon simaethis. 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 Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Alan Chin Lee; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , tom murray , Joshua Stuart Rose , Mike Quinn , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273
What is Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273?
Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273 (Chlorostrymon simaethis) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273?
Small hairstreak, the size of an average blue.
How do you identify Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273?
Underwing is green (ranging from bright lime-green to dull greenish-brown) with straight white postmedian band. Wide maroon/brown trailing edge of HW. Dorsal, male is dark purple, female gray.
Where is Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Thorn scrub, and dry woodland, usually found around balloon-vine. |
| Range | CA-TX, FL / W. Indies / Mex. to Argentina - Map (MPG, BOA) |
What does Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273 eat?
The diet of the Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273 includes Caterpillars feed on immature seeds of Balloon-vines ( Cardiospermum spp.). Adults feed on nectar of balloon vines and also Lantana spp. and various other plants with tiny flowers..
When is Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273 active?
Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273: seasonal activity - March to June and September to October..
What is the life cycle of a Silver-Banded Hairstreak - Hodges#4273?
The caterpillars, which hide within the Cardiospermum seed pods, reportedly secrete honeydew which attracts ants; the ants in tern defend the caterpillars from predators.