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coral hairstreak
coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
Photo © Mary Kay Rubey
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
The coral hairstreak has a wingspan of one to one and one-half inches. The upperside of the wings is brown, while the bottom is a lighter brown. On the outer half of each hindwing, there is a row of black spots encircled with white followed by a row of coral-colored spots, each of which has a crescent cap of black and white. The male and female are similar in appearance, although the male’s wings are more pointed than those of the female.
BEHAVIORS
Found statewide, this species lives in places where there are abundant flowers: gardens; open fields; woodland edges; prairies. Adults may be seen from May through August. One generation is produced per year. The species overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae eat the leaves of black cherry (Prunus serotina) and other types of cherry and plum trees.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Illinois Status: common, native
