Red-spotted Hairstreak Tmolus echion (Linnaeus, 1767) | Butterflies and Moths of North America

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

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Observation date: unknown

Submitted by: BAMONA

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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