Martial Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon martialis)

Martial Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon martialis)

Martial Scrub-Hairstreak is uncommon to rare in south Florida, where it is found only along the immediate coast. Martial also occurs in the West Indies.

Compare with Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak, which is found in different habitat and has two extra white spots in the center of the hindwing for easy ID.

Bahia Honda State Park, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

Martial Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon martialis)

Bahia Honda State Park, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

Martial Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon martialis)

Below, Martial is like a Gray Hairstreak, which is common in the same habitat, but with broader white stripes. When the butterfly flies or rubs its wings, though, you can get a glimpse of a beautiful pale blue color on the upperside of the hindwings, lacking in Gray.

Bahia Honda State Park, Monroe Co., FL 6/26/2010.

Bay-Cedar (Suriana maritima) Martial Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon martialis)

A Martial on its host plant, Bay-Cedar (Suriana maritima), which grows along the shoreline.

Bahia Honda State Park, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.