Amethyst Hairstreak
Chlorostrymon maesites (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upper surface of male iridescent deep blue-purple; female dull gray-blue. Lower surface has thin postmedian line on yellow-green background.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 inch (2.2 - 2.5 cm).
Life History: Males perch in tree foliage 6-10 feet above ground.
Flight: Two or three flights in Florida from December-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Unknown in wild; caterpillars have fed on flower buds of Albizia lebbeck (Fabaceae) in the lab.
Adult Food: In Florida, nectar from flowers of ape\'s earring, Brazilian pepper, Guamachil, and shepherd's needle.
Habitat: Subtropical evergreen or semideciduous woods and hammocks.
Range: Southeastern Florida peninsula and Keys; larger Caribbean Islands.
Conservation: Amount of habitat is restricted on the Florida Keys.
NCGR: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.
Management Needs: Conserve all possible native habitats.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 22, 2024
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 24, 2024
Observation date: Jul 02, 2018
Submitted by: Lotus28
Region: Jamaica
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 25, 2022
Observation date: Jun 16, 2021
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2021
Observation date: Jun 18, 2021
Submitted by: Dutchot
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2021
Observation date: Jun 29, 2019
Submitted by: tjabour
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 09, 2019
Observation date: Nov 29, 2017
Submitted by: wayne13114
Region: Cuba
Verified by: wayne13114
Verified date: Dec 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 09, 2017
Submitted by: Allen Belden
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 08, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 12, 2014
Observation date: Jan 31, 2014
Submitted by: eric_whiteside
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 03, 2014
Observation date: Jul 13, 2012
Submitted by: bjones7777
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 04, 2012
Observation date: Aug 05, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Roger Hammer/David Lysinger)
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (J. Calhoun)
Verified date: Aug 30, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Key Largo County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Plantation Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Key West County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Stock Island County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004