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| Southern Hairsteak |
Latin
Name: Fixsenia favonius |
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Genus: Fixsenia Species: favonius |
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Comments: |
| The Southern Hairstreak has a quick, erratic flight and can be difficult to follow. Both sexes avidly visit flowers and are particularly fond of white composites. Although producing only a single generation, the butterfly has a prolonged flight period that may extend over many weeks. Females deposit the small eggs on host twigs near the buds. They overwinter on the tree until the following spring when the young larvae hatch and feed on the bounty of new growth. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
single spring generation |
Egg: |
pinkish brown, laid singly on twigs of host; eggs overwinter |
Larva: |
green with yellow lateral stripes and dark green dorsal line |
Host Plants: |
various oaks |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
various oaks |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
woodland edges, oak scrub and adjacent open areas |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
1 - 1.3 |
Centimeters: |
2.5 - 3.3 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
White M Hairstreak has single red ventral hindwing spot. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- dark brown with faint orange scaling
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Below:
- brown; hindwing has lagged black-and-white line, white spot along leading margin, and distinct, broad reddish orange submarginal band tapering toward forewing; large blue patch and several black dots near long tails
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Abundance: |
occasional to common |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
