Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Disclaimer: This material is being kept online for historical purposes. Content is no longer being updated and may contain broken links.


Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Lycaenidae

     Satyrium sylvinus
     Sylvan Hairstreak


upperside
underside

Size: wingspread 1-1.4 in.
Recognition: Gray to brownish gray, occasionally with bluish tones; orange coloring on bottom of HW; may or may not have tail; very similar to Satyrium californica, but underside has less orange and fewer spots..
Flight period: The adults are active from May to August.
Hostplants: The larvae feed on willows (Salix).
Habitat: They prefer riparian settings in foothills and canyons, also willow woodland.
Distribution: Much of western U.S., including California, and south into Baja California.

previous species                     Family list     Lycaenidae                     next species

© Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History