Poling's Hairstreak (Satyrium polingi [Barnes and Benjamin])
Wing span: 1 - 1 3/8 inches (2.5 - 3.0 cm).
Identification: Two tails on each hindwing. Underside of hindwing dark-brown; blue tail-spot capped narrowly with orange; black-edged white W near inner margin.
Life history: Eggs are laid singly on host plant twigs and hatch the following spring. Caterpillars feed on leaves, buds, and male catkins
Flight: Two flight in May-June and then again in August-September.
Caterpillar hosts: Gray oak and Emory oak.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Oak woodlands.
Range: Southern New Mexico and west Texas south into northeastern Mexico.
Conservation: Status of host oak populations and nectar availability should be studied.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences), or because of other factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. (Endangered throughout its range).
