Diet

• Caterpillars feed on the soapberry family (Sapindaceae).

• Adults feed on flower nectar.

• The species is associated with flowering shrubs and vines in warm, dry habitats.  

Range

• Strymon bebrycia occurs from the southwestern United States through Mexico and southward to Costa Rica.

• It is particularly associated with western and northern Mexico, with specimens from several parts of the country.

• Guerrero lies within the broader Mexican range, and it can occur in the Zihua area, particularly in suitable dry scrub habitat.

Habitat

• Subtropical thorn scrub, tropical dry scrub, and other warm, relatively dry environments.

• It favours shrubby vegetation, woodland edges, and disturbed areas where its larval host plants occur.

• Males commonly perch on bushes or other elevated vegetation, where they watch for females.

Description

• A small hairstreak with a wingspan of approximately 25–32 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly grey, while the underside is grey with contrasting white submarginal spots.

• The hindwing has a conspicuous red-orange line across the postmedian area, bordered or capped with white toward the outer edge, giving the species its common name.

• A single slender tail projects from the hindwing.

• The combination of the grey wings, white spotting, red-orange hindwing line, and single tail helps distinguish it from several other Strymon species occurring in western Mexico.