Red-spotted Hairstreak
Tmolus echion (Linnaeus, 1767)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Tailed. Upperside of male iridescent blue, female dull blue-gray. Underside light gray with 2 rows of orange oblong spots.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid singly on flowers of host plant. Caterpillars feed on flower and fruits and sometimes leaves.
Flight: May in South Texas, all year in Hawaii and Mexico.
Caterpillar Hosts: Many species of tropical plants including some in the verbena, mint, and potato families.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical scrub and forest edges.
Range: Brazil north to Sinaloa and Tamaulipas, Mexico. Strays rarely to South Texas. Was introduced to Hawaii in 1902 to control Lantana.
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
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 12, 2017
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Chiapas, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 09, 2022
Observation date: Oct 01, 2021
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jun 22, 2022
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Kerr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004