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Oak Hairstreak
Satyrium favonius
Copyright by: Mary Keim
Description:
Small butterfly measuring up to 1-1/2". The dorsal side is dark brown with a light orange spot toward the outer margin of the forewing and a darker orange spot toward the outer margin of the hindwing. The ventral side is grayish-brown with a black and white line in the shape of a "W" near the margin of the hindwing, an orange submarginal band, a black spot capped with orange between two tails and a blue patch underneath the tails. Caterpillars are small and yellowish-green with small yellow spots. Chrysalis is pale brown with black spots.
Range:
North America
Habitat(s):
Woodland edges, wooded coastal areas, barrier islands, scrub, oak hammock
Reproduction:
One brood per year. Reddish-brown eggs are laid singly on host plant twigs, overwinter, and then hatch in the spring.
Natural History:
Like other hairstreaks, the tails on the hindwing are wiggled when the butterfly is at rest.
Food:
Caterpillars feed on host leaves, buds and male catkins. Larval host plants include native oak species (Quercus spp.). Nectar host plants include swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina), and sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum).
