The Early Hairstreak is a small butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. They range from southeastern Canada and Maine, down the Appalachian range to northern Georgia (1). This butterfly species is extremely uncommon in the eastern United States (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). In Maryland, the Early hairstreak has a rank of S1 with a highly state rare status (6). Records are from Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties (7).
The Early Hairstreak is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 7/8 to 1 inch wide (7). Both males and females have a blue and black upperside, but females are known to have more blue than males. The underside is a pale turquoise with two irregular bands of orange spots (7, 8).
Early Hairstreak's lay their eggs on the fruits of American Beech (Fagus grandifolia L.), American Hazelnut (Corylus spp.) and various Oak species (Quercus spp.) where the caterpillars can feed (1, 3, 5, 8). Caterpillars are yellow-green to rusty-brown and overwinter as a rusty-brown chrysalis with dark brown spots (9). This species has two broods in Maryland, flying in late April, and early July (7).
Early Hairstreaks prefer to fly in the canopies of mature deciduous forests and in open areas of mixed woods (1, 6).
Adults typically spend most of their lives in the forest canopy, but occasionally come down to feed on the nectar from Fleabanes (Erigeron spp.), Meadowsweet (Spiraea tomentosa), and Ox-Eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare ) (3, 8). Adults can also be found puddling (3, 10). Males spend most of their time perched in tree tops and among hilltops waiting for a mate (1). Adults can also be found puddling (3, 10).
Data from Maryland Biodiversity Project (7). Includes historical records and may overrepresent the current range of the species.
The Early Hairstreak's habitat is among mixed hardwood forests. Maintaining proper forestry management as well as avoiding pesticide spraying in their habitats will be most beneficial to this rare and endangered species.
© 2020 Price Lab for Entomology, Courtney Rogall