The Banded Hairstreak is a small, inconspicuous gray-brown butterfly with intricate banding on its underwings accented by blue and orange tail-base spots. Adults spend much of their time in the treetops, descending to nectar at milkweeds and other flowers. Its tiny caterpillars feed on oak flowers and young leaves in the spring.
Best time to see a Banded Hairstreak
The best time to see a Banded Hairstreak is June–July, when about 87% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,622 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Banded Hairstreak? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Banded Hairstreak sightings near you
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