Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Strymon istapa (Reakirt, [1867])
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: One short hindwing tail. Upperside dark gray; female with blue-gray at lower half of hindwing. Underside hindwing gray with one round black spot near base of costa, postmedian row of small black dots.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars eat stems and young leaves of host plant.
Flight: All year; number of broods has not been determined.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in mallow family (Malvaceae) including alkali mallow (Sida hederacea) and coastal Indian mallow (Abutilon permolle); also bay cedar (Suriana maritima).
Adult Food: Nectar from small-flowered trees and composites, croton.
Habitat: Open disturbed areas, second growth, weedy pastures, roadsides.
Range: Brazil north through Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico to southern California, southern Arizona, South Texas, and peninsular Florida.
Conservation: Any limited U. S. populations may require conservation.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Maintain present habitats and manage for necessary host and nectar plants.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 288 verified sightings
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Observation date: Aug 24, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 24, 2024
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Observation date: Aug 17, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 22, 2024
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/ad_2015-10-06_0042.jpg?itok=uf0X1a2-)
Observation date: Oct 06, 2015
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 12, 2024
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/img_9964_2.jpeg?itok=Mu02rrS7)
Observation date: Aug 09, 2024
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 10, 2024
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Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 08, 2024
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Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: C²²H²⁸N²O
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jul 29, 2024
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Observation date: Jul 16, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 17, 2024
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/img_9814.jpeg?itok=_jTgRk94)
Observation date: Jul 10, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2024
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/mallow_20241.png?itok=0_-JavLg)
Observation date: Jun 27, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2024
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Observation date: May 16, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 17, 2024
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Observation date: May 11, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 12, 2024
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/jam-hairstreak-sp-dscn0609-small.gif?itok=GHkM8Tyr)
Observation date: Nov 15, 2023
Submitted by: Janet Ruth
Region: Jamaica
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Dec 12, 2023
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/dscn3844.jpeg?itok=FK235Lr_)
Observation date: Oct 23, 2023
Submitted by: Brendavent
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 27, 2023
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Observation date: Oct 05, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 11, 2023
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Observation date: Feb 25, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 26, 2023
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Observation date: Aug 19, 2023
Submitted by: photogal
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 19, 2023
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Observation date: May 16, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jun 12, 2023
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Observation date: Apr 22, 2023
Submitted by: Mariatere
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 24, 2023
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Observation date: Mar 27, 2023
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region:
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Apr 08, 2023
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Observation date: Feb 24, 2023
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 24, 2023
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Observation date: Mar 02, 2019
Submitted by: Paddler41
Region: The Bahamas
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 10, 2023
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Observation date: Jan 25, 2023
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 27, 2023
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Observation date: Dec 22, 2022
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 22, 2022
![](https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/styles/bamona_scale_and_crop_640px_by_640px/public/bamona_images/dscn9026_0.jpg?itok=A3C45dXR)
Observation date: Dec 22, 2022
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 22, 2022
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