Birds of Oklahoma
Butterflies of Oklahoma

Soapberry Hairstreak butterfly

Soapberry Hairstreak (Phaeostrymon alcestis)

County State Date            
Oklahoma OK 07/2007            

Wing span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).

Identification:
Upperside plain deep brown. Underside of both wings have cells with narrow white bars outlined in black. Postmedian band white, bold, and jagged.

Life history: Males patrol for females around the canopy. Females lay eggs singly on host plant twigs. Eggs overwinter and hatch in spring; caterpillars feed on leaves.

Flight: One flight from April-July.

Caterpillar hosts: Western soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Desert foothill canyons, prairie valleys, hedgerows, woodlands, roadsides.

Range: Northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona east to Kansas, south to Texas.


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