Marius Hairstreak
Common NameMarius Hairstreak
Scientific NameMinistrymon marius
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyTheclinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorslight grey, orange, black
HabitatOpen woodlands, scrub, desert washes, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouthwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), Mexico, Central America
Host PlantsAcacia, Mimosa, Prosopis
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical areas; March to November in northern parts of its range
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae feed on various legume species, typically in the Fabaceae family.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, the pale grey hindwing underside with a faint white postmedian line, and the distinctive orange and black spots with two short tails near the hindwing margin.
Description
A small butterfly with pale greyish-white undersides, featuring a faint white postmedian line and prominent orange and black spots near the hindwing tornus, accompanied by two short tails.
