Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Pearly-gray Hairstreak
Strephonota tephraeus (Geyer, 1837)


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Upperside of male iridescent blue; forewing apex black; large oval black and brown patch in cell. Female duller blue with blackish forewing apex. Underside pale gray with white streaks barely obvious against the background.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: Many flights from May-December in Mexico; November in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Not reported.
Adult Food: Not reported; presumably flower nectar.
Habitat: Lowland tropical forests, particularly along rivers.
Range: Brazil north through Mexico. Rare stray to lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare tropical stray.
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