Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Banded is the most common and widespread of our Satyrium hairstreaks, occuring throughout North Carolina, though most common in the Mountains and Piedmont, from late spring through mid-summer.

Vance Co., NC 5/20/10.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Caswell Co., NC 5/21/10.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Greensboro, NC 5/15/10

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Greensboro, NC 5/15/10

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Greensboro, NC 5/15/10

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Greensboro, NC 5/15/10

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) caterpillar

The slug-like caterpillars are highly variable in color.

Granville Co., NC 4/25/10

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Banded is most similar to the ultra-rare Hickory Hairstreak.

This is a male, as you can tell from the scent patch — notice the faint J-shaped mark near the middle of the leading edge of the forewing. The ones above are also all males. They tend to be easier to see than females because they often perch up on leaves to defend nice sunny spots in forest interiors.

Orange Co., NC 5/26/07

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

This is a female, lacking the scent patch.

Orange Co., NC 5/26/07

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Male. This photo was taken with flash.

Granville Co., NC 6/4/2005.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

The other side of the same individual, this time with only natural sunlight.

Granville Co., NC 6/4/2005.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Worn male.

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

These two males, perched on the same leaf, had just had an aerial sparring match. Mitchell Co., NC 7/6/2002.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Mitchell Co., NC 7/6/2002.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

A very worn male!

Orange Co., NC 6/6/07.

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)

Hiding under a leaf.

Orange Co., NC 6/6/07.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.