Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly or Satyrium behrii
Behr's hairstreak butterflies (Satyrium behrii) don't show off their colors much-- instead, they keep their wings vertical so only the underside of their wings show. Perhaps this is for camouflage, as the pattern of their ventral wing surface blends well with woody vegetation, and perhaps to regulate body temperature, by turning away from or broadside to the sun. Their upper wing surface is a rich orange with brown border.
Behr's hairstreak butterfly caterpillars are adapted to rely only on bitterbrush for their food supply, while adult butterflies live on nectar from various flowers such as yarrow, buckwheats, splendid fleabane or dustymaidens.
Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly
perched on her host plant, antelope
bitterbrush
Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly
perched on Ponderosa needles,
with view to orange-brown upper wings
Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly
nectaring on yarrow
Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly
nectaring on ocean
spray flowers
Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly
nectaring on splendid
fleabane flower
