Windwolf
Crex Meadows Butterflies... Coral Hairstreak
Coral Hairstreak
Satyrium titus
This year marks the first time I have been able to identify the Coral Hairstreak on Crex Meadows.
July 15, 2008 was the first time I was able to photograph this type of Hairstreak. Sightings have continued into August and the numbers of these butterflies seems to have increased.
The image on the right seems to show a very fresh individual. The sunlight is reflecting off of the wings giving an almost bronze like shimmer. The orange through the hindwing is very bright and defined.
The first week sightings occurred in one area of Crex Meadows, along Phantom Lake road. The following visit on July 15, many more spots held individuals and pairs on flowers.
Photograph on right taken July 15, 2008
The Coral Hairstreak is notable for its lack of a tail, along with its long row of orange-red spots along its hindwing.
The picture on the left was taken a week later, July 22, 2008. Wearing of the colors is begining to happen to this butterfly.
The picture below right was taken on the same day, July 22, 2008 and was with the Coral Hairstreak on the left. This second Coral Hairstreak is a less worn individual on the same butterfly weed plant.
Wing span:1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).
Caterpillar Hosts: Wild cherry, wild plum, and chokecherry (Prunus species) in the rose family (Rosaceae).
Females lay eggs singly on host twigs or in litter at base of plant. Eggs hibernate. Caterpillars hide in litter during the day and emerge at night to feed on leaves and fruits.
Habitat: Shrubby areas, brushlands, openings in woodlands, neglected pastures, streamsides, barrens, chaparral, and brushlands.
Picture below taken August 6, 2008 and was one of three Coral Hairstreaks on a fresh pile of wolf scat on James Road.
| Kingdom | Animalia | (Animals) |
| Phylum | Arthropoda | (Arthropods) |
| Superclass | Hexapoda | (Hexapods) |
| Class | Insecta | (Insects) |
| Subclass | Pterygota | (Winged Insects) |
| Order | Lepidoptera | (Butterflies and Moths) |
| Superfamily | Papilionoidea | (Butterflies) |
| Family | Lycaenidae | (Gossamer Winged Butterflies) |
| Subfamily | Theclinae | (Hairstreak) |
| Genus | Satyrium | |
| Species | titus | (Coral Hairstreak) |