Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

White-M Hairstreak
Parrhasius m album (Boisduval & Leconte, 1833)


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Identification: Tailed. Upperside iridescent blue with black borders. Underside grayish brown; white postmedian line edged with black and forming a white M (or W) near tail; white spot near base of costa.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 5/8 inches (3.2 -4.1 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: Three broods in the north, four in Florida, from February-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Live oak (Quercus virginiana) and other oak species.
Adult Food: Nectar from a variety of flowers including viburnum, sumac, sourwood, wild plum, poinsettia, sweet pepperbush, common milkweed, lantana, dogwood, and goldenrod.
Habitat: Woods with broadleaf trees.
Range: Connecticut west to southeast Iowa and Missouri, south to east Texas, the Gulf Coast, and peninsular Florida. Rare stray to Michigan and Wisconsin.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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