Strymon bazochii
Encyclopedia
The Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak or Smaller Lantana Butterfly (Strymon bazochii) is a butterfly
in the Lycaenidae
family. It is found from Paraguay
north through Central America
, the West Indies and Mexico
to southern Texas
. It was introduced to Hawaii
in 1902 to control lantana, in which it has proven unsuccessful.
The wingspan
is 22-25 mm. Adults are on wing from May to December. There are two to three generations per year.
The larvae feed on Lippia alba
and Lippia graveolens
in Texas. In Hawaii, they feed on Lantana
species and basils. Adults feed on nectar from various flowers, including Bidens alba, Lantana
species and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
in the Lycaenidae
Lycaenidae
The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies...
family. It is found from Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
north through Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, the West Indies and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was introduced to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
in 1902 to control lantana, in which it has proven unsuccessful.
The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is 22-25 mm. Adults are on wing from May to December. There are two to three generations per year.
The larvae feed on Lippia alba
Lippia alba
Lippia alba is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to southern Texas in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Common names include Bushy Matgrass, Bushy Lippia, and Hierba Negra. It is a mult-branched shrub,...
and Lippia graveolens
Lippia graveolens
Lippia graveolens is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the southwestern United States , Mexico, and Central America as far south as Nicaragua. Common names include Redbrush Lippia, Orégano Cimmaron, Scented Lippia, Mexican Oregano, and Scented Matgrass...
in Texas. In Hawaii, they feed on Lantana
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both...
species and basils. Adults feed on nectar from various flowers, including Bidens alba, Lantana
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both...
species and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Is a species of plant in the Verbenaceae family. Native throughout the Caribbean, the species is commonly known as blue porterweed or Jamaica vervain. This plant can be found on St...
.