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 25 - 48 of 293 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 24, 2023
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 24, 2023
Observation date: Mar 02, 2019
Submitted by: Paddler41
Region: The Bahamas
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 10, 2023
Observation date: Jan 25, 2023
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 27, 2023
Observation date: Dec 22, 2022
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 22, 2022
Observation date: Dec 22, 2022
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 22, 2022
Observation date: Dec 19, 2022
Submitted by: Erik Stabl
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 20, 2022
Observation date: Jan 24, 2019
Submitted by: David F Smith
Region: Sonora, Mexico
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 12, 2022
Observation date: Dec 02, 2022
Submitted by: John Gibbons
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 05, 2022
Observation date: Nov 08, 2022
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 08, 2022
Observation date: May 13, 2013
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 25, 2022
Observation date: Feb 17, 2016
Submitted by: BeaLaporte
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 14, 2022
Observation date: Aug 06, 2019
Submitted by: L.Hale
Region: Texas, Lubbock County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 04, 2022
Observation date: Nov 28, 2017
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 02, 2022
Observation date: Apr 02, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Brewster County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 01, 2022
Observation date: Oct 06, 2021
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Texas, Victoria County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 23, 2022
Observation date: Jan 24, 2022
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 15, 2022
Observation date: May 28, 2022
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 02, 2022
Observation date: Mar 28, 2020
Submitted by: Brian Ahern
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 05, 2022
Observation date: Jan 16, 2022
Submitted by: guy_incognito
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 20, 2022
Observation date: Dec 03, 2021
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 06, 2021
Observation date: Nov 06, 2021
Submitted by: azstar1
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Nov 13, 2021
Observation date: Nov 07, 2021
Submitted by: azstar1
Region: Pinal County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Nov 13, 2021
Observation date: Jul 07, 2018
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 29, 2021
Observation date: Aug 11, 2018
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 29, 2021
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