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Early Hairstreak
Early Hairstreak
Scientific Name
Scientific Name
(Erora laeta)
(Erora laeta)
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).
Photo by Butterflies and Moths of North America.
Identification
Identification
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).
Photo by B. Spencer.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
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).
Habitat
Habitat
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).
Photo by Bohemian Baltimore
Photo by Mary Ann Daly.Fleabanes is a commonly visited flower during the adult stage
Distribution in Maryland
Distribution in Maryland
Data from Maryland Biodiversity Project (7). Includes historical records and may overrepresent the current range of the species.
For more information regarding this species:
For more information regarding this species:
How can you help?
How can you help?
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.
Larval Host Plants:
Larval Host Plants:
References
References
- Vaughan, D. M., and M. D. Shepherd. 2005. Species Profile: Erora laeta. In Shepherd, M. D., D. M. Vaughan, and S. H. Black (Eds). Red List of Pollinator Insects of North America. CD-ROM Version 1. Portland, OR: The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
- Hyatt, J. A., and C.N. Watson. 1988. The Butterflies and Skippers of the Bays Mountain Area of Northeastern Tennessee. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science. 63(3): 69-72.
- Klots, A. B., and C. F. dos Passos. 1981. Studies of North American Erora (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 89(4): 295-331.
- Scott, J. A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press. Stanford, CA. 583pp.
- Neilsen, M. C. 1973. The Rarest of Northern Butterflies. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society. 18(2): 1-3.
- Maryland Wildlife Diversity Conservation Plan. Maryland Department of Natural Resources , dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/SWAP/2005_MWDC_Plan.pdf. Last accessed June 28, 2020.
- Maryland Biodiversity Project - Early Hairstreak (Erora Laeta), www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=530. Last accessed 28 June 2020.
- Butterflies and Moths of North America. 2016. Early Hairstreak Erora laeta (W.H. Edwards, 1862) www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Erora-laeta. Last accessed 28 June 2020.
- Institute, USF Water. “Alabama Butterfly Atlas.” Early Hairstreak - Alabama Butterfly Atlas, alabama.butterflyatlas.usf.edu/species/details/54/early-hairstreak.
- Brock, J. P., and Kenn Kaufman. 2003. Butterflies of North America. Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY. 384 pp.
© 2020 Price Lab for Entomology, Courtney Rogall
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