Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266
Hypaurotis crysalus
This record describes Hypaurotis crysalus (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing is light gray and it's the only western hairstreak with a white basal stripe on the HW. Dorsal, bright purple and black with orange spots near the tail.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Theclinae
- Tribe
- Theclini
- Genus
- Hypaurotis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Canyons with oak.
Geographic Range
Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
May to November, but mainly July-August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Gambel's Oak.
Life History
1 brood in most areas, 2 broods occasionally.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypaurotis crysalus. 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 Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266
What is Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266?
Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266 (Hypaurotis crysalus) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266?
Large hairstreak 40-45mm wingspan.
How do you identify Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266?
Underwing is light gray and it's the only western hairstreak with a white basal stripe on the HW. Dorsal, bright purple and black with orange spots near the tail.
Where is Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Canyons with oak. |
| Range | Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. |
What does Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266 eat?
The diet of the Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266 includes Gambel's Oak..
When is Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266 active?
Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266: seasonal activity - May to November, but mainly July-August..
What is the life cycle of a Colorado Hairstreak - Hodges#4266?
1 brood in most areas, 2 broods occasionally.