S1

Edward's Hairstreak

Scientific Name

(Satyrium edwardsii)

The Edward's Hairstreak is a small pale brown butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. This species is reported from southern Canada, and the northeastern United States, southward to the Appalachians of Georgia, and westward to Texas, and Missouri (1, 2, 3). In Maryland, the Edward's Hairstreak is highly rare with a S1 ranking. They are often spotted around dry rocky barrens with plenty of Bear oak (4).

Identification

The Edward's Hairstreak has a wingspan of 1–1 1/4". Their under and uppersides are pale grayish-brown with a post-median line of white ringed oval spots, filled with dark brown. They have one tail on each hindwing and a blue tail-spot (1, 3). Edwards Hairstreak is commonly mistaken for the Banded Hairstreak which has a post-median line without white oval spots (1).

Larvae are brown in color with a white striped head and black tubercles with short hairs. The chrysalis is yellow brown and darkly spotted (1).

The ants (Formica integra) and the caterpillars help each other in a mutualistic relationship. The caterpillar receives protection from predators while the ants feed on the honeydew produced by the larvae. (1, 2, 3, 7).

Habitat

The Edward's Hairstreak can be found in pine-oak thickets of barrens and in surrounding open areas. This butterfly is usually recorded on their preferred nectaring plants, NJ tea (Ceanothus americanus), milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) (1, 3, 5).