Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290
Ministrymon clytie
This record describes Ministrymon clytie (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing is light gray with reddish/orange markings.
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
- Ministrymon (Ministreaks)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found on eupitorium, and other flowing bushes.
Geographic Range
c. TX to C. Amer. - Map (MPG), Map (GBIF), Map (iNat) - most records from southmost TX where they are periodically abundant.
Seasonal Activity
Most of the year with 2-3 broods.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larva feeds on legumes and creeping mesquite.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ministrymon clytie (W. H. Edwards, 1877)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ministrymon clytie. 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 Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , tom murray , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290
What is Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290?
Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290 (Ministrymon clytie) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290?
Very small hairstreak, 20-25mm wingspan.
How do you identify Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290?
Underwing is light gray with reddish/orange markings.
Where is Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found on eupitorium, and other flowing bushes. |
| Range | c. TX to C. Amer. - Map (MPG), Map (GBIF), Map (iNat) - most records from southmost TX where they are periodically abundant. |
What does Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290 eat?
The diet of the Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290 includes Larva feeds on legumes and creeping mesquite..
When is Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290 active?
Clytie Ministreak - Hodges#4290: seasonal activity - Most of the year with 2-3 broods..