hickory hairstreak

(Satyrium caryaevorus)

Conservation Status
hickory hairstreak
Photo by Scott Leddy
  IUCN Red List

not listed

 
  NatureServe

N4 - Apparently Secure

SU - Unrankable

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Hickory hairstreak is a small to medium-sized, gossamer-winged butterfly. It occurs in the eastern United States from Vermont to Minnesota south to New Jersey and Missouri, and in adjacent Canadian provinces. It is uncommon in Minnesota, where it is at the northwest extent of its range. It is found from late June through July in open fields adjacent to deciduous and mixed forests, and in forest clearings. It is rarely seen as it spends most of its time high in trees.

Adults have a to 1 (22 to 35 mm) wingspan. The upper side if the wings are rarely seen because this butterfly perches with wings closed and is rarely seen from above. Like other hairstreaks, the hindwing has two tails near the tip. The shorter, upper tail is very short and often does not look at all like a tail.

The underside of both wings is light brown with a thin dark line on the outer margin. On the forewing there is a row of narrow submarginal spots and a row of larger postmedial spots. The submarginal spots are outlined with white just on the inside. The postmedial spots on the forewing are rectangular, outlined with white on both the inside and outside, and joined together to form a continuous band. There is also a similar but incomplete medial band on each wing consisting of just two conjoined spots.

On the hindwing the postmedial spots are similar but smaller. They are smallest at the bottom becoming progressively larger toward the top. The top spot is as large as the medial spots, and is offset between the postmedial and medial bands. There is a large, light blue spot below the tail and a long, narrow, orange spot on the inner margin at the anal angle. The blue spot is not topped with orange. It extends nearly to the postmedial band. The marginal spot between the tails has a prominent orange cap. The orange cap is smaller than the black spot it covers. The next three spots may have smaller orange caps gradually decreasing in size and fading.

The eyes are black.

The antennae are striped black-and-white and have an orange-tipped club.

The caterpillar is wide, somewhat flattened, yellowish-green, and short, no more than ¾ long. There is a pair of white longitudinal lines in the middle (subdorsal), and a white line on each side below the breathing pores (spiracles). The area between the subdorsal lines is darker green. On each abdominal segment there is a single, prominent, oblique line between the subdorsal and subspiracular stripes.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

Wingspan: to 1 (22 to 35 mm)

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
  Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) is very similar in appearance. The postmedial band on the forewing is outlined in white boldly on the outside, narrowly on the inside. The offset spot at the top of the postmedial band is narrower than the medial spots. The light blue spot at the anal angle extends only slightly beyond the adjacent spot. The orange cap on the spot between the tails is as large or larger than the black spot it covers.  
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Open fields adjacent to deciduous and mixed forests, forest clearings

 
     
 
Biology
 
 

Season

 
 

One generation per year: late June through July

 
     
 

Behavior

 
 

Adults perch with their wings closed above their body. They are rarely seen with their wings spread.

 
     
 

Life Cycle

 
 

 

 
     
 

Larva Hosts

 
 

Leaves of mostly bitternut hickory; also shagbark hickory, black walnut, and butternut; occasionally oak and ash.

 
     
 

Adult Food

 
 

Flower nectar

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 75, 82.

 
  7/1/2022      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

 

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)  
 

Superfamily

Papilionoidea (butterflies)  
 

Family

Lycaenidae (gossamer-winged butterflies)  
 

Subfamily

Theclinae (hairstreaks)  
 

Tribe

Eumaeini  
  Subtribe Eumaeina  
 

Genus

Satyrium (satyrid hairstreaks)  
  Subgenus Satyrium  
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Satyrium caryaevorum

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

hickory hairstreak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Anal angle

The angle at the corner formed where the outer and inner margins meet.

 

Spiracle

A small opening on the surface of an insect through which the insect breathes.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

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Greg Watson

 
 

Harvestman with a Hickory Hairstreak

 
    hickory hairstreak      
 

Mike Poeppe

 
    hickory hairstreak      
 

Cary Coop

 
    hickory hairstreak      
 

Scott Leddy

 
    hickory hairstreak      
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
Hickory Hairstreak
Ryan Rasmussen
  Hickory Hairstreak  

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

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Other Videos
 
  HICKORY HAIRSTREAK Satyrium caryaevorus
Rob Curtis
 
   
 
About

Aug 7, 2019

Satyrium caryaevorus HICKORY HAIRSTREAK, MCClaughery Springs FP, IL. 7/1/2019

 

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this insect.

 
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Greg Watson
8/21/2023

Location: Magelssen Bluff Park

Harvestman with a Hickory Hairstreak

hickory hairstreak  
  Mike Poeppe
7/21/2022

Location: near Houston, MN

hickory hairstreak

 
  Cary Coop
6/29/2022

Location: Scott County

hickory hairstreak  
  Scott Leddy
6/28/2014

Fillmore Co.

hickory hairstreak  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

 

 

 

 

Binoculars


Created: 4/17/2020

Last Updated:

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