Description
The Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus) is a small butterfly with grayish-brown wings featuring a series of thin white lines and orange spots near the tails, commonly found in hardwood forests and areas with hickory trees across eastern North America. The species wasn’t elevated until 1942 so many observations in historical records prior to that we’re probably keyed as Banded Hairstreaks.
Range
Southeastern quarter plus scattered areas in the east central part of the state.
Similar Species
Striped, Edwards, and Banded Hairstreaks resemble Hickory. Striped Hairstreaks have much more banding. In Edwards, the bands consist of individual spots bordered with white. In Banded, the blue spot on the hindwing is reduced, where in Hickory it juts out into the spot band.
Host Plants
Hickory (Carya spp.), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), Butternut (Juglans cinerea)
Flight
Late-June and July