Page 151 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Lycaenidae
TRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DIS TRIBUTION Western North America, from British Columbia to New Mexico
TRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DIS
DIS
HABITAT T T T Sagebrush shrub-steppe, open hillsides, canyons, and washes
A
A
A
HABIT
HABIT
HABITAT
HABIT
HOS T PLANT S S S Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.)
HOST PLANTS
T PLANT
T PLANT
HOS
HOST PLANTS
HOS

NO
NO
NOTE Well-camouflaged caterpillar of Wyoming’s tiny, green
NO
TE
TE
NOTE
TE
State butterfly

CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but less common in Canada than the United States
A
A
A
T
T
A
A
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERV
CONSERV
CONSERV
TUS
A
TUS
TUS
T
TION S
TION S
TION S
ADULT WINGSPAN
⅞–1 in (23–25 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⅝ in (16 mm)
CALLOPHRYS SHERIDANII
SHERIDAN’S HAIRSTREAK 149
(W. H. EDWARDS, 1877)
The Sheridan’s Hairstreak caterpillar develops rapidly, pupating
about a month after the egg is laid. Early instars feed on the
upper surfaces of new buckwheat leaves, creating grooves and
holes halfway through the leaf, leaving extensive areas of small,
yellow spots. The caterpillars blend well with their host plants,

their coloring providing protective camouflage. The larvae live
solitary lives and do not build nests or shelters. The pupal stage
occupies 10 to 11 months of the year; the pupa oversummers
and overwinters.

In spring, males of this species from arid zones are the first to
emerge and perch on rocks or bare ground in canyon bottoms,
challenging passing insects in search of females. There are a
number of similar, green hairstreak species in North America
and Eurasia, and about half a dozen subspecies of Callophrys
sheridanii. Higher elevation forms of C. sheridanii tend to have
caterpillars that are brightly colored with red markings, which The Sheridan’s Hairstreak caterpillar is green

may be a consequence of feeding on red flowers. with numerous, short, stubbly setae and a
distinct, yellow ventrolateral stripe below the
spiracles; there are also two indistinct, yellow
stripes dorsally. Viewed from above, the
caterpillar displays a broken line of yellowish
spots. Mature caterpillars become pink
before pupation.
Actual size