Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274
Phaeostrymon alcestis
This record describes Phaeostrymon alcestis (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Predominantly gray in color (females are brownish above), with tails. Very similar (in appearance and behavior) to some Satyrium species, but on underside white bar at end of discal cell is distinct on all four wings (often dark edged), and dark-edged white postmedian stripes are narrow and nearly continuous on all four wings. Rarely found far from larval host.
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
- Phaeostrymon (Soapberry Hairstreak)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated strictly with larval host plants, and usually in open sunny areas. Adults perch on the branches of the trees, and males are pugnacious and somewhat territorial.
Geographic Range
sc US, AZ (s. Kansas to Mexico) - MPG
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host - Western Soapberry ( Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii ). Adults are avid flower visitors, often nectoring on the larval host plants, but also favoring a variety of other species, especially Milkweeds or Dogbanes (family Apocynaceae), if available.
Life History
Overwinters as eggs laid on twigs, hatch and mature in spring. Adults mostly May to July, varying somewhat based on the latitude, elevation, and weather.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phaeostrymon alcestis. 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 Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274
What is Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274?
Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274 (Phaeostrymon alcestis) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274?
Predominantly gray in color (females are brownish above), with tails. Very similar (in appearance and behavior) to some Satyrium species, but on underside white bar at end of discal cell is distinct on all four wings (often dark edged), and dark-edged white postmedian stripes are narrow and nearly continuous on all four wings. Rarely found far from larval host.
Where is Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Associated strictly with larval host plants, and usually in open sunny areas. Adults perch on the branches of the trees, and males are pugnacious and somewhat territorial. |
| Range | sc US, AZ (s. Kansas to Mexico) - MPG |
What does Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274 eat?
The diet of the Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274 includes Larval host - Western Soapberry ( Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii ). Adults are avid flower visitors, often nectoring on the larval host plants, but also favoring a variety of other species, especially Milkweeds or Dogbanes (family Apocynaceae), if available..
What is the life cycle of a Soapberry Hairstreak - Hodges#4274?
Overwinters as eggs laid on twigs, hatch and mature in spring. Adults mostly May to July, varying somewhat based on the latitude, elevation, and weather.