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Species Detail
Gold-hunter's Hairstreak
Satyrium auretorum (Boisduval, 1852)
Attributes of Satyrium auretorumFamily: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae) Subfamily: Hairstreaks (Theclinae) Identification: Hindwing with 1 short tail. Upperside of male light reddish-brown; female with yellowish tinge. Underside of hindwing with dark crescents near outer margin. Spot near tail is dull orange with a black center. Life history: Males perch on top of trees and sometimes patrol for females. Eggs are laid singly on stems and hibernate until spring. Caterpillars feed on tender young leaves. Flight: One flight from May-July. Wing span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Several species of oak (Quercus). Adult food: Flower nectar including milkweeds. Habitat: Oak hillsides and chaparral. Range: California west of the Sierra Nevada, Transverse Range, and deserts, from Mendocino County south to San Diego County and into Baja California Norte. Conservation: The Santa Monica Mountains Hairstreak (subspecies fumosum) is highly localized and threatened by urbanization in southern California. NatureServe Global Status: Not reported Management needs: Protect habitat of remaining colonies of subspecies fumosum. | Documented Records for Satyrium auretorum
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