Species Satyrium kingi - King's Hairstreak - Hodges#4284

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Range · Food · Remarks · Print References

King's Hairstreak larva, Satyrium kingi - Satyrium kingi

King's Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi) larva on host-plant, Sweatleaf (Symplocos tintctoria) - Satyrium kingi

King's Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi) larvae - Satyrium kingi

King's Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi) 11 mm. on host plant Sweetleaf, (Symplocos tinctoria) - Satyrium kingi

King's Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi) larva - Satyrium kingi

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies and Skippers)

Family Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)

Subfamily Theclinae (Hairstreaks)

Tribe Eumaeini

Genus Satyrium

Species kingi (King's Hairstreak - Hodges#4284)

Hodges Number

4284

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Satyrium kingi (Klots and Clench, 1952)

Explanation of Names

Named for the collector of the type specimen, H.L. King (Klots and Clench, 1952).

Range

Local and rare in the southeastern United States, from Texas to Delaware.

Food

Larvae feed on leaves of Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria). Adults take nectar.

Remarks

There does not seem to be much information available about H.L. King. He appears to have been an amateur lepidopterist, but I have been unable to find any biographical information. The original species description is clear that King lived in Sarasota, Florida, but collected the type specimen near Savannah, Georgia. Here is the relevant text:

Some time ago Mr. H. L. King of Sarasota, Florida, sent separately to the authors specimens of what appeared to be a new member of the calanus group of the genus Strymon Huebner, as well as other material of nearly equal interest. This material was taken by him near Savannah, Georgia. In subsequent years Mr. King has added to this material....It gives us great pleasure to name this new hairstreak for its discoverer in recognition not only of his capture of it but also of his outstanding ability as a collector and field observer.

--Patrick Coin (a.k.a. Cotinis)

Print References

Klots, A.B. & Clench, H.K. 1952. A new species of Strymon Hübner from Georgia (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). American Museum Novitates (1600): 9 pp., 3 figs. (AMNH link)

Contributed by Will Cook on 21 September, 2006 - 8:58pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Steve Nanz, Nick Block, David Ferguson
Last updated 15 June, 2020 - 10:23am

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