Strymon bazochii

Strymon bazochii (Godart, 1874)
(previously known as : Polyommatus bazochii)
Lantana Scrub Hairstreak
EUMAEINI , THECLINAE , LYCAENIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(Photo: courtesy of F.R. Hedges, NPWRC, USA)

This Caterpillar was deliberately introduced and released into Australia from its native Mexico in 1914 in a failed attempt to control the exotic weed:

Lantana ( Lantana camara, VERBENACEAE ).

A similar attempt in Hawaii in 1902 was also unsuccessful.

The eggs are laid singly on flowers of food plants. The Caterpillars feed on the flowers and fruits of the food plants, which also include:

Lemon Verbena ( Lippia alba , VERBENACEAE ), and

Mexican Oregano ( Lippia graveolens , VERBENACEAE ).

(Photo: courtesy of Paul A. Opler, NPWRC, USA)

The butterflies are blue on the upper side, and underneath are a mottled brown, with a dark spot on the rear edge. They have a wing span of about 2 cm.

The species failed to establish in Australia, and no longer occurs here.

Further reading :

Paul A. Opler, Ray E. Stanford, & Harry Pavulaan, The Butterflies and Skippers of North America,

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(updated 1 March 2010)