Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1210377

Gold-hunter's Hairstreak
Satyrium auretorum

Observation date: June 15, 2019
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I have read and I also Believed that there were two subspecies here in southern California. This trip and looking at butterflies of america, your Book and also Emmil and Emmil that the female shown here is very Golden Colored much lighter than the male. Also she is much Bigger. Dorsal side edge is dark brown with lighter golden in the center. Look at Jim Brocks photo's of Pinned Specimen's on Butterflies of america Also Kim, Mike, and, Andrew Waren's Photo's of female When these are new there very hard to hold onto as the scales do there job and slide off on you and butterfly fly's away. But I did get a good look at most of these. Look at the dorsal side just showing its brown and not orange red as in Hedgerow Also look at the Male that is darker brown quite often and has the scent gland in this species only on the male! Female Lacks Scent gland on leading edge! In order to Show the difference Male-VS- Female I have to post a Series of these! I think this is important to help Dispel the Myth that there are two sub species in Southern California- the males and females Vary so much in color and Size! Strange that by the time of this photo just after noon These all disappear then we saw just a few hedgerow in one area in chaparral then it got hotter and MM hairstreak showed up but just two! This female was near an oak inland scrub oak also larger oaks near by she stayed in shade until i flushed her!
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: June 19, 2019
Coordinator notes: Yours is subspecies spadix. There are 3 subspecies in California.-Ken Davenport
Checklist region(s): United States, California, San Diego County