Soapberry Hairstreak
Phaeostrymon alcestis (W.H. Edwards, 1871)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upperside plain deep brown. Underside of both wings have cells with narrow white bars outlined in black. Postmedian band white, bold, and jagged.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females around the canopy. Females lay eggs singly on host plant twigs. Eggs overwinter and hatch in spring; caterpillars feed on leaves.
Flight: One flight from April-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Western soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Desert foothill canyons, prairie valleys, hedgerows, woodlands, roadsides.
Range: Northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona east to Kansas, south to Texas.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Alternate Scientific Names:
Phaestrymon alcestis
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 185 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 20, 2022
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Baca County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Feb 15, 2023
Observation date: Apr 20, 2019
Submitted by: Ignacio A. Rodriguez
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jan 26, 2023
Observation date: May 06, 2020
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Texas, Williamson County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 11, 2022
Observation date: Jun 18, 2021
Submitted by: marycurry
Region: Texas, Wise County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 09, 2022
Observation date: May 21, 2022
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Jul 22, 2022
Observation date: May 26, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Pinal County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 23, 2021
Observation date: May 26, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Pinal County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 23, 2021
Observation date: Jul 03, 2021
Submitted by: billd
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jul 16, 2021
Observation date: Jun 03, 2021
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jun 07, 2021
Observation date: Jun 03, 2021
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jun 04, 2021
Observation date: Jun 01, 2020
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jun 02, 2020
Observation date: Apr 28, 2019
Submitted by: honeymushroom
Region: Bastrop County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 07, 2019
Observation date: May 16, 2017
Submitted by: Jim McCulloch
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 23, 2017
Observation date: May 14, 2017
Submitted by: gspoone
Region: Jefferson County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: May 14, 2017
Observation date: May 20, 2016
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Texas, Williamson County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 16, 2016
Observation date: May 20, 2016
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Texas, Williamson County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 14, 2016
Observation date: Jun 12, 2016
Submitted by: gunhilda
Region: Payne County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jul 04, 2016
Observation date: Jun 02, 2012
Submitted by: rhedden
Region: Crosby County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 02, 2016
Observation date: May 14, 2011
Submitted by: Laurie Sheppard
Region: Grayson County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 16, 2016
Observation date: May 09, 2015
Submitted by: Martin and Sara
Region: Gonzales County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 08, 2015
Observation date: May 28, 2007
Submitted by: Shirley Wilkerson
Region: Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 10, 2014
Observation date: May 18, 2014
Submitted by: jgiroux
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 05, 2014
Observation date: May 17, 2010
Submitted by: lmreid71
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 15, 2013
Observation date: Jun 23, 2013
Submitted by: azukoff
Region: Clark County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: azukoff
Verified date: Jul 01, 2013
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