Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Silver-banded Hairstreak
Chlorostrymon simaethis (Drury, 1773)


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upperside of male brown with purple iridescence; female dull gray. Underside of both wings green with silver-white postmedian band.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
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.
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.
NCGR: 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.
Comments: NULL