Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Chlorostrymon telea (
Hewitson)
Original Combination: Thecla telea Hewitson, 1868
Syn:
Strymon maesites telea Hewitson
(1)Numbers
simaethis - Silver-Banded Hairstreak
maesites - Amethyst Hairstreak
telea - Telea Hairstreak
Identification
Tiny size, smaller than even typically small Lycaenids such as Ministrymon clytie and Strymon istapa. Brilliant lime-green underwing color. Conspicuous brown spot on the hindwing near the "hairs".
Range
s. TX (as a stray) to Brazil -
Map - (MPG, BOA)
Habitat
Stream valleys of semideciduous dry forests
Food
Larval hosts include Guazuma and Central American Soapberry.
Remarks
Type Locality: "Amazon"
First US record was collected by Avery Freeman in Laredo in 1935 and reported by Klots (1951) (as a subspecies of
Strymon maesites).
(1)
Species was not seen in the US again until November 2007, when Berry Nall found multiple individuals at Falcon State Park, Starr County, TX.
In June 2009 a few more were found by Mike Rickard at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission, Hidalgo County, TX.
Print References
Clench, H.K. 1961. Tribe Theclini, Hairstreaks. Pp. 177-220 in: Ehrlich, P.R. & A.E. Ehrlich. How to Know the Butterflies. Wm. C. Brown Co., Dubuque, Iowa. [v] + 262 pp.
Johnson, K. 1989. Revision of
Chlorostrymon Clench and description of two new austral Neotropical species (Lycaenidae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 43(2): 120-146. (
Full PDF)