Description
The Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) is a small hairstreak with grayish-brown wings adorned with bands of darker spots framed on the outside with white, and orange spots and large blue spot near the tail, often found in oak and hickory woodlands, forest edges, and clearings across eastern North America. They tend to love scrubby oaks and I’ve found plenty of them perching at the top of 5-6 foot tall bur oaks near prairies, often with Edwards Hairstreaks.
Range
It is found throughout the state where oaks are found.
Similar Species
Edwards and Hickory Hairstreak are very similar. In Edwards, the bands are made up of very discrete spots, especially on the forewing. Hickory tends to have larger bands, which is offset on the forewing, and has a much larger blue spot near the tail.
Host Plants
Oaks (Quercus spp)
Flight
late June and July