Insects by Picture
Butterflies and Moths by Picture
Lepidoptera Taxonomy
Redbanded Hairstreak - BugGuide
Calycopis cecrops - Butterflies and Moths of North America
Redbanded Hairstreak - University of Florida
I watched this redbanded hairstreak fly into my kitchen in the evening of April 27, 2017, eventually landing on my dining room table. I was only able to get one shot before it flew off to somewhere I could no longer find it, but fortunately that one shot was good enough. I was surprised at how dark it was compared to my memory and other photos online.
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Like all hairstreaks, perching adults move their hind wings up and down, apparently to attract a predator's attention to that part of the wings, which the hairstreaks can sacrifice and escape, like some lizards do. According to the University of Florida, jumping spiders prey on hairstreaks, and the breakaway part of the wing helps the hairstreaks get away.
Hairstreaks lay their eggs on the undersides of dead leaves on the ground beneath host plants. Larvae eat dead leaves and detritus in leaf litter. According to BugGuide, the larvae's favored plants include those in the families Fagaceae (oaks) and Malvaceae (mallows), soe species of which live in my yard.
Males perch on vegetation to await the arrival of females for mating. Adults feed on nectar and sip from mud.
