Insect · GBIF taxon 1933998
Colorado Hairstreak
Hypaurotis crysalusColorado hairstreaks spend most of their lives high in the foliage of Gambel oak groves, where their flashes of brilliant purple wings contrast with dark brown borders and bright orange spots. Adults rarely visit flowers, relying instead on sap flows, aphid honeydew, and moisture on oak twigs for sustenance. Females lay eggs singly on oak buds, ensuring the emerging green caterpillars have immediate access to their sole food source.
IridescentOak SpecialistState Insect
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Gambel Oak Leaves
- Tree Sap
- Aphid Honeydew
Predators
- Birds
- Spiders
- Praying Mantises
ThreatsSevere wildfires, habitat fragmentation, and extreme droughts affecting host oaks
HabitatsMontane oak scrublands, pine-oak woodlands, and foothill canyons
Life span1 year total (adults live 2 to 4 weeks)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLycaenidae
- SpeciesHypaurotis crysalus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look Up: Search the upper canopy of Gambel oaks during warm afternoon hours when adults are active.
- Check Sap Runs: Look near wounded oak branches where adults gather to drink rich sap.
- Use Optics: Bring close-focus binoculars to spot individuals perching high above the ground.
Host Plant (c) Lyrae, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lyrae · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Andy Deans, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) John Rosford, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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