Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,253 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in November.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Strymon istapa the mallow hairstreak, mallow-scrub hairstreak, dotted hairstreak or Hewitson's hairstreak. This diurnal butterfly is a widespread species that can be found in xeric habitats throughout the southern United States, Central America, parts of the Caribbean (including Cuba and Grand Cayman), and rarely in South America. This species can be spotted in rural and suburban areas in which human infringement has created open fields or tracks of overgrown weeds as a result of land clearing....From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 5,564 | November | Oct–Dec |
| Florida | 1,328 | May | Dec–Aug |
| Arizona | 191 | October | Oct–Nov |
| California | 152 | October | Apr–Nov |
| Louisiana | 9 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Oklahoma | 6 | September | Aug–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Gray Hairstreak
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Red-banded Hairstreak
Marine Blue
Ceraunus Blue
Summer Azure
Western Pygmy-Blue
Reakirt's Blue
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak?
Nationally, November has the most observations, with the main season from October to December.
Where is Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Florida, Arizona.