• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

• Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

• Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)

• Hairstreaks (Subfamily Theclinae)

• Tribe Eumaeini

• Stripe-streaks (Genus Arawacus)

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Genus Arawacus is a small genus of hairstreak butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, found primarily in the Neotropical region from Mexico through Central America and into South America. These butterflies are generally small and delicate, with the underside of the wings marked by fine lines, subtle patterns, and often metallic or iridescent scaling. Like many hairstreaks, species of Arawacus frequently possess thin tail-like extensions on the hindwings that, together with eye-like markings, create a “false head” that can help deflect attacks from predators. Adults are typically encountered in forest edges, clearings, and tropical woodlands, where they visit flowers, damp ground, or decaying organic matter for nutrients.