Strymon bazochii

(Godart, 1824)

Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Smaller Lantana Butterfly

Strymon bazochii is a small lycaenid to the Neotropics, ranging from Paraguay through Central America and the Caribbean to southern Texas. It was deliberately to Hawaii in 1902 as a agent for , but failed to establish effective control. The species exhibits in pattern and has a documented association with Lippia and Lantana plants.

SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK, LANTANA (Strymon bazochii) (10-27-2015) national butterfly center, mission, hidalgo co, tx (22928258146) by ALAN SCHMIERER. Used under a CC0 license.

Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) by Anne Toal. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Starr-130320-3381-Pluchea carolinensis-flowers with Strymon bazochii smaller Lantana butterfly biocontrol-Nihoku Mokolea Pt Kilauea Pt NWR-Kauai (24582293363) by Forest and Kim Starr. Used under a CC BY 3.0 us license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Strymon bazochii: //ˈstraɪmən bəˈzoʊki.aɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar (Strymon ) by the combination of metallic with speckling and, in males, the presence of horizontal wing . Females lack white lines and appear more uniformly patterned. The small size and grey provide additional distinguishing features from .

Images

Appearance

Small with wingspan of 22–25 mm. are metallic with speckled hues. are grey. Males display distinct horizontal on the wings; females lack this pattern.

Habitat

Associated with open, disturbed where plants grow. In Texas, found in areas supporting Lippia alba and Lippia graveolens. In Hawaii, occupies urban and suburban environments where occur. The species shows adaptability to anthropogenic landscapes.

Distribution

range extends from Paraguay northward through Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico to southern Texas, USA. to Hawaii in 1902. Present in the Caribbean, Middle America, North America (southern USA), and Oceania (Hawaiian Islands).

Seasonality

are active from May to December. Two to three occur per year.

Diet

feed on Lippia alba and Lippia graveolens in Texas; in Hawaii, they feed on and basil (Ocimum species). feed on nectar from various flowers including Bidens alba, Lantana species, and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis.

Host Associations

Lippia alba - larval Texas
Lippia graveolens - larval Texas
Lantana urticoides - site deposited on this
Lantana species - larval Hawaii ; range
Ocimum species - larval Hawaii ; basil

Life Cycle

are deposited on urticoides. Larval development averages approximately 31 days before . The hardens and turns dark prior to . Multiple per year (two to three).

Behavior

have been observed typical of many , with males defending perches on elevated terrain to intercept females. Both sexes visit flowers for nectar.

Ecological Role

of various flowering plants through nectar-feeding. function as on plants. Failed as a agent for in Hawaii, indicating limited regulatory impact on host plants.

Human Relevance

Subject of an unsuccessful introduction to Hawaii in 1902 intended to suppress . The failure illustrates limitations of for complex weed problems. No significant economic or agricultural impact documented.

Similar Taxa

Strymon melinusGray is similar in size and general appearance but lacks the metallic coloration with speckling; males have different pattern elements
Strymon acisBartram's Scrub- is a related with different associations and geographic restriction to Florida pine rocklands
Strymon rufofuscaRed-tailed is larger and has distinctive red marginal markings on

More Details

Biological Control History

Introduction to Hawaii in 1902 represents one of the earliest documented attempts at for a weed . The failure to control has been attributed to factors including insufficient pressure, alternative use, and ecological complexities of the target weed system.

Taxonomic Note

Originally described as Polyommatus bazochii by Godart in 1824, later transferred to Strymon.