South Texas Butterfly Photos

by Will Cook

Here's a selection of images of 90 butterfly species from two trips to Texas, June 5-7 and October 13-19, 2004 (full trip list). South Texas is a butterflier's paradise! I also found some interesting dragonflies, too. All photos were taken using a Nikon CoolPix 995.

Papilionidae | Pieridae | Lycaenidae | Riodinidae | Nymphalidae 1 | Nymphalidae 2 | Hesperiidae 1 | Hesperiidae 2

Lycaenidae - Gossamer-wings

Theclinae - Hairstreaks

Silver-banded Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis)
NABA Butterfly Park, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.

Wow! This is a really special butterfly. Hard to beat for coolness... until you see the next species.

Xami Hairstreak (Callophrys xami)
Loma Alta, Cameron Co., TX 10/14/04.

The definition of ultracool.

	Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) Eisenhower Park, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX 6/7/04. This is the very southern edge of its range, as well as that of its host plant here, Ashe Juniper (Juniperus ashei). Compare with Juniper Hairstreak from North Carolina.
	Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) San Ygnacio, Zapata Co., TX 6/6/04. A typical specimen. Compare with Gray Hairstreak from North Carolina.
	Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) Chihuahua Woods RR tracks, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/18/04. This one has an unusual amount of red on the postmedian line.
	Red-crescent Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon rufofusca) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. We found this rarity at the garden outside the Chamber of Commerce.
	Red-crescent Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon rufofusca) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. A different individual, at Lucy's Garden.
	Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon alea) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.

White Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon albata)
NABA Butterfly Park, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/19/04.

This is the first one ever recorded at the NABA Park. Simply stunning.

Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa)
San Ygnacio, Zapata Co., TX 6/6/04.

The most common hairstreak, after Gray.

	Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. Cute!
	Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. 2004 is a banner year for Lantana Scrubs -- normally rare, we saw them at nearly every location we visited. These odd little hairstreaks often position their hindwings up above their forewings.
	Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. The white hindwing streak is often missing.
	Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bazochii) La Grulla, Starr Co., TX 10/17/04. Note the distinctive gray eyes.
	Clytie Ministreak (Ministrymon clytie), fresh! Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04. Lovely pale green eyes.
	Dusky-blue Groundstreak (Calycopis isobeon) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. Compare with Dusky-blue Groundstreak from Panama.

Polyommatinae - Blues

	Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exile) Frontera Audubon, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/18/04. Amazingly diverse pattern, especially considering this is the smallest butterfly species in the US.
	Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) Starr Co., TX 10/16/04.
	Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04. By far the most common blue we encountered. This species may have either 1 or 2 black spots along the hindwing margin. Compare with Ceraunus Blue from Panama.
	Reakirt's Blue (Hemiargus isola) Eisenhower Park, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX 6/7/04.

Papilionidae | Pieridae | Lycaenidae | Riodinidae | Nymphalidae 1 | Nymphalidae 2 | Hesperiidae 1 | Hesperiidae 2

Comments? Questions? E-mail me at cwcook@duke.edu

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Revised 3/5/2005 cwcook@duke.edu