Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5
Strephonota tephraeus
This record describes Strephonota tephraeus (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underside pale gray with less conspicuous bands than most similar hairstreaks. Upperside iridescent blue with a conspicuous brown spot in the center of the male's forewing. First U.S. Record: Penitas, Hidalgo Co., Texas - 1972
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
- Strephonota
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Lowland tropical forests
Geographic Range
southmost TX (as a stray) to Brazil (BOA, MPG)
Seasonal Activity
Dec. in s. TX (MPG, NABA)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Strephonota tephraeus (Geyer, 1837)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Strephonota tephraeus. 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 Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , Nick Block
Frequently Asked Questions About Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5
What is Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5?
Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5 (Strephonota tephraeus) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5?
Underside pale gray with less conspicuous bands than most similar hairstreaks. Upperside iridescent blue with a conspicuous brown spot in the center of the male's forewing.
Where is Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Lowland tropical forests |
| Range | southmost TX (as a stray) to Brazil (BOA, MPG) |
When is Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5 active?
Pearly-gray Hairstreak - Hodges#4293.5: seasonal activity - Dec. in s. TX (MPG, NABA).