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
Pollinator Week was June 20-26, 2022!
Butterflies and moths are accidental pollinators of many flowering plants. While most species do not have special structures to carry pollen, they do brush against pollen and transfer it to other flowers.
Did you know? The Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas) flies close to the ground and uses its short proboscis to probe flowers of wild strawberry, white sweet clover, and other low-lying plants.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 180 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 09, 1977
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Bailowitz)
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 20, 2010
Submitted by: aahewetson
Region: Cochran County, Texas, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Feb 15, 2011
Observation date: Jun 20, 2010
Submitted by: aahewetson
Region: Texas, United States, Yoakum County
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Feb 15, 2011
Observation date: Jun 14, 1969
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ronald S. Wielgus)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 12, 1995
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 11, 1995
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: May 27, 1964
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Hessel)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Jun 11, 1995
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jun 21, 2009
Submitted by: aahewetson (Anthony Hewetson)
Region: Texas, Kent County, United States
Verified by: nick.grishin (Nick Grishin)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: Jun 14, 2009
Submitted by: aahewetson (Anthony Hewetson)
Region: Texas, Moore County, United States
Verified by: nick.grishin (Nick Grishin)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: Jun 21, 2009
Submitted by: aahewetson (Anthony Hewetson)
Region: Texas, Stonewall County, United States
Verified by: nick.grishin (Nick Grishin)
Verified date: Jan 06, 2010
Observation date: Jun 08, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ribitzki, Paul & Williams, Ken)
Region: Blaine County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 10, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Fisher, John)
Region: Osage County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: May 18, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Reynolds, Bryan E.)
Region: Garvin County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 07, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nelson, John M. & Fisher, John)
Region: Mayes County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 23, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (McConnell, Scott)
Region: Cimarron County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 14, 2008
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ribitzki, Paul)
Region: Pawnee County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 14, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Gerard, Walter)
Region: Johnston County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 22, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Smith, Bill & Janet)
Region: Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 03, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nelson, John M. & Fisher, John)
Region: Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 02, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Fisher, John)
Region: Creek County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: May 21, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Huzak, Amanda)
Region: Tillman County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
Observation date: Jun 30, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Nelson, John M. & Fisher, John)
Region: Major County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Nelson, John M.)
Verified date: Apr 03, 2009
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