Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288
Satyrium saepium
This record describes Satyrium saepium (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing brown with dark postmedian band, often with pale cell end bars, blue patch near tail, and no orange.
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
- Satyrium
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Chaparral, open pine or oak woodlands.
Geographic Range
British Columbia, through California, to Colorado, and Montana.
Seasonal Activity
One brood, LC-A April-September, with peak flight July-August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ceanothus (buckthorn)
Life History
Overwinters as an egg.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Satyrium saepium. 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 Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288
What is Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288?
Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288 (Satyrium saepium) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288?
25-32mm
How do you identify Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288?
Underwing brown with dark postmedian band, often with pale cell end bars, blue patch near tail, and no orange.
Where is Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Chaparral, open pine or oak woodlands. |
| Range | British Columbia, through California, to Colorado, and Montana. |
What does Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288 eat?
The diet of the Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288 includes Ceanothus (buckthorn).
When is Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288 active?
Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288: seasonal activity - One brood, LC-A April-September, with peak flight July-August..
What is the life cycle of a Hedgerow Hairstreak - Hodges#4288?
Overwinters as an egg.