''Satyrium titus'', the coral hairstreak, is a North American
butterfly
Butterflies are winged insects from the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea, characterized by large, often brightly coloured wings that often fold together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. The oldest butterfly fossi ...
in the family
Lycaenidae
Lycaenidae is the second-largest family (biology), family of butterflies (behind Nymphalidae, brush-footed butterflies), with over 6,000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. They constitute about 30% of ...
.
Description
This tailless hairstreak is brownish gray on the upper side of the wings. The underside of the hindwing has a distinct row of red-orange spots along the outer margin, but lacks the blue spot found in most hairstreaks.
Habitat
This butterfly favors brushy places, thickets, overgrown fields, open woodlands, and streamsides.
Nectar plants
The coral hairstreak is frequently seen visiting
butterfly weed, but also uses
New Jersey tea,
dogbane and
sulphur flower as nectar plants.
Host plants
Caterpillars have often been reported on feeding on the fruits of wild plums and cherries (''
Prunus
''Prunus'' is a genus of flowering plant, flowering trees and shrubs from the family (biology), family Rosaceae. The genus includes plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds (collectively Drupe, stonefruit). The genus has a cosm ...
''), and have also been observed on serviceberry (''
Amelanchier alnifolia
''Amelanchier alnifolia'', the saskatoon berry, Pacific serviceberry, western serviceberry, western shadbush, or western juneberry, is a shrub native to North America. It is a member of the rose family, and bears an edible berry-like fruit.
D ...
'') and oaks (''
Quercus
An oak is a hardwood tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' of the beech family. They have spirally arranged leaves, often with lobed edges, and a nut called an acorn, borne within a cup. The genus is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisp ...
'').
References
*Jim P. Brock, Kenn Kaufman (2003). ''Butterflies of North America''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. .
External links
''S. titus'' photos BugGuide
Cirrus Image
''S. titus'' info ODNR Division of Wildlife
''Satyrium titus''Wisconsin Butterflies
{{Taxonbar, from=Q648943
Butterflies of North America
Satyrium (butterfly)
Butterflies described in 1793
Taxa named by Johan Christian Fabricius