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| Sweadner's Hairstreak |
Latin
Name: Callophrys swaedneri |
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Genus: Callophrys Species: swaedneri |
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Comments: |
| This attractive Florida endemic occurs in small, highly localized and geographically isolated colonies throughout coastal and interior counties of north-central Florida. Unlike many other species, the butterfly spends the majority of its adult life directly on the host trees, leaving only occasionally to nectar at nearby blossoms or possibly disperse to locate or establish new colony sites. The species was historically aided by the planting of native cedar trees along roads for windbreaks or home landscaping. Presently though, it faces an uphill battle for survival as more of its critical habitat is lost or altered by development. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
light green, laid singly on host |
Larva: |
bright green with numerous white markings on back and sides |
Host Plants: |
Southern Red Cedar |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Southern Red Cedar |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
dry fields, forest edges and coastal areas containing Southern Red Cedar |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
.8 - 1.1 |
Centimeters: |
2 - 2.8 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar |
Compare: |
Olive Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) is extremely similar but is not found in north central Florida. Individuals encountered elsewhere have larger white postbasal bars on the underside of the hindwing and reddish brown scaling in black submarginal spot near the tails. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- brown with amber scaling and dark borders
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Below:
- olive green; hindwing has two small white spots near wing base and irregular white postmedian line edged on inside with reddish brown; blue scaling and black submarginal spots near tail
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Abundance: |
uncommon and very localized; of conservation concern |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
