Species Detail

Coral Hairstreak

Satyrium titus (Fabricius, 1793)

JPG -- species photo

Attributes of Satyrium titus


Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Subfamily: Hairstreaks (Theclinae)

Identification: No tails. Upperside dark brown. Underside of hindwing light brown with row of coral spots at margin, and postmedian row of black spots ringed with white.

Life history: Males perch on shrubs, especially in late afternoon, to watch for females. Females lay eggs singly on host twigs or in litter at base of plant. Eggs hibernate. Caterpillars hide in litter during the day and emerge at night to feed on leaves and fruits.

Flight: One flight from May-August.

Wing span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Wild cherry, wild plum, and chokecherry (Prunus species) in the rose family (Rosaceae).

Adult food: Nectar from flowers including butterflyweed, New Jersey tea, dogbane, and sulphur flower.

Habitat: Shrubby areas, brushlands, openings in woodlands, neglected pastures, streamsides, barrens, chaparral, and brushlands.

Range: Central Canada south to eastern California; east across southern Canada to New England; south to central New Mexico, central Texas, northern Arkansas, and central Georgia.

Conservation: Not usually required.

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

Management needs: None reported.

Documented Records for Satyrium titus



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