Marius Hairstreak (Rekoa marius [Cramer])

Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).

Identification: Upperside of male dark iridescent blue; female gray. Hindwing has orange eyespot near tail.

Flight: Probably flies all year in Mexico; September-December in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Legumes, malpighias, and many other in several different families.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Disturbed tropical areas.

Range: Paraguay north to Sonora, Mexico. Rare stray to South Texas.

Conservation: Not required for rare tropical stray.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.