Species Detail

Silver-banded Hairstreak

Chlorostrymon simaethis (Drury, 1773)

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Attributes of Chlorostrymon simaethis

Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Subfamily: Hairstreaks (Theclinae)

Identification: Upperside of male brown with purple iridescence; female dull gray. Underside of both wings green with silver-white postmedian band.

Life history: Eggs are laid singly on host plant fruits; caterpillars live inside the fruit pod and eat the young seeds.

Flight: Two flights from August-December.

Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: In Florida halicacabum) of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). Many other hosts in other parts of the range.

Adult food: Nectar from flowers of balloon vine and Antigonon leptotus.

Habitat: Openings and edges of dry tropical forests or scrub, Sonoran Desert.

Range: Argentina north to southern Arizona, South Texas, southern Florida and the Keys.

Conservation: Habitats in United States are limited in extent.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: Preserve all possible native habitats in United States.