Behr’s Hairstreak
(Satyrium behrii)
Hairstreaks and Elfins
Appearance: Above, this tailless hairstreak is orange with dark outer margins on both the forewings and hindwings. Below, it is gray to brownish gray with black postmedian and submarginal spots, edged in white. One or two spots on the lower submarginal portion of the hindwing may show orange-capped black.
Wingspan: Small; 15/16 to 1 1/8 inches.
Habitat: Rocky arid flats and hillsides in the Front Range foothills.
Flight Times: May to August; most abundant in June and July.
Larval Foodplant: Bitterbrush and mountain mahogany.
Did You Know…
A good way to find this species is to survey and/or tap bitterbrush clumps where the females hang out and the males perch looking for partners (Pyle, 2002).
