Diet

• Caterpillars are thought to feed on plants associated with the families Fabaceae and Sapindaceae, as occurs in several closely related eumaeine hairstreaks.

• Adults visit flowers for nectar and may also obtain moisture and minerals from damp surfaces.

Range

• Ostrinotes keila ranges from Mexico through Central America to Colombia.

• Guerrero is within its range, and it occurs in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• It inhabits tropical and subtropical forest, particularly forest edges, clearings and areas of secondary growth.

• It can occur in seasonally dry forest as well as more humid woodland.

• Adults are generally encountered around vegetation in sunny openings and along forest margins.

• The species occurs from low elevations into montane areas; populations elsewhere in its range have been found at elevations approaching 1,800 metres.

Description

• A small hairstreak in the family Lycaenidae, subfamily Theclinae.

• The upper surface is predominantly dark brown to blackish, with contrasting blue or violet-blue areas that are particularly noticeable in males.

• The underside is cryptically patterned in shades of brown, grey and pale tan, with fine lines and spots that help camouflage the butterfly when resting.

• The hindwings have short tails and contrasting markings near the anal angle, typical of many eumaeine hairstreaks.