The Early Hairstreak is a tiny, jewel-like hairstreak with brilliant green-and-blue spots on tan-brown wings — one of the most beautiful small butterflies in North America. It is rarely seen because it spends most of its time in the beech tree canopy, occasionally descending to drink at moist soil. Its flight period coincides with beechnut opening in late summer.
Best time to see a Early Hairstreak
The best time to see a Early Hairstreak is March–May, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 230 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Early Hairstreak? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Early Hairstreak sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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