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Hedgerow Hairstreak Satyrium saepium Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae Photos copyright: Peter J. Bryant (pjbryant@uci.edu).
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Characteristics: The rich red-brown color of the DW surfaces is an excellent key character for this species. Forewing length: 12-14 mm. Similar Species: Many "hairstreaks" are apt to look alike to the beginning lepidopterist; carefully compare specimens with descriptions and diagrams. Habitats, Behavior: Adults are very fond of Eriogonum fasciculatum blossoms and are easy to capture. Distribution: The Nut-brown Hairstreak is especially common on the northeast slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains although the species is captured in other localities in these mountains, primarily at higher elevations. Flight Period: One brood. Adults fly from late May into early July, although late June appears to be the peak flight period in Orange County. Larval Foodplant: Buck Brush (Ceanothus cuneatus) is recorded, but Orange County populations must utilize other species, for cuneatus is not presently recorded for the county. Newcomer (1973) records oviposition on the stems and on the underside of leaves of Ceanothus. Other Remarks: We have no early records of this species for Orange County, perhaps because few collectors in the 1920's and 1930's ventured into the higher reaches of the Santa Ana Mountains. From Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Orange County, California. Center for Pathobiology Miscellaneous Publication #3. University of California Press, New York. 349pp. Return to Butterflies and their larval foodplants |
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