Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Hedgerow Hairstreak
Satyrium saepium (Boisduval, 1852)


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upperside metallic copper-brown. Forewing of male with black (sometimes pale) oval spot along leading edge. Underside brown with blue spot near tail; other markings not prominent.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Males perch on low vegetation. Females lay eggs singly on buds, leaves, and twigs of host plant. Eggs hatch the following spring; caterpillars eat buds and uppersides of leaves.
Flight: One flight from April-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Ceanothus species in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including yerba santa and wild buckwheats.
Habitat: Chaparral, open forest, brushy oak woodlands.
Range: British Columbia south through California into Baja California; east through northern Arizona to northern New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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