Hairstreak
Guides
Satyrium californicum
California Hairstreak
Satyrium californicum is a species of hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It belongs to a genus of small butterflies whose larvae typically feed on oaks and other woody plants. Adults in this genus often exhibit canopy-dwelling behavior and may utilize non-nectar food sources such as honeydew and plant exudates. The specific ecology of S. californicum has been less documented than some congeners, though it shares the genus-typical association with ant mutualists and woody host plants.
Satyrium caryaevorus
Hickory Hairstreak
Satyrium caryaevorus, the hickory hairstreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in eastern North America, where adults are active during summer months. The species has one generation per year and overwinters as an egg. Larvae feed primarily on hickory and related tree species, while adults visit flowers for nectar.
Satyrium edwardsii
Edwards' Hairstreak
Satyrium edwardsii, the Edwards' Hairstreak, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It occurs in eastern North America from the United States into southern Canada. Larvae feed on Quercus species, particularly scrub oak (Q. ilicifolia). The species has been documented as endangered in some regions and exhibits myrmecophilous associations with ants.
Satyrium favonius ontario
Northern Oak Hairstreak
Satyrium favonius ontario, the Northern Oak Hairstreak, is a canopy-dwelling butterfly subspecies found in the northeastern United States. Its perceived rarity appears largely due to detection difficulties rather than actual low population numbers, as adults spend most of their time in oak canopies rather than at ground level. The subspecies has been documented feeding on non-nectar sources including oak gall exudates and honeydew. Listed as a Species of Special Concern in Massachusetts.
Satyrium kingi
King's Hairstreak
Satyrium kingi, known as King's Hairstreak, is a North American butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Klots and Clench in 1952. The species is part of the hairstreak group, characterized by small tail-like projections on the hindwings. Basic information about its biology and ecology remains limited in published sources.
Satyrium liparops strigosum
Striped Hairstreak
Satyrium liparops strigosum is a subspecies of the Striped Hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It belongs to a genus of hairstreak butterflies characterized by small tails on the hindwings and association with ants during larval development. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the widespread S. liparops species complex.
Satyrium saepium
Hedgerow Hairstreak
Satyrium saepium, the hedgerow hairstreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae endemic to western North America. The species exhibits significant geographic variation, with eleven recognized subspecies distributed across diverse habitats from coastal California to interior montane regions. Adults are active from spring through late summer and have been documented feeding on nectar from specific flowering plants. Larval development is tied to buckbrush (Ceanothus), a genus of flowering shrubs in the family Rhamnaceae.
Satyrium semiluna
Sagebrush Sooty Hairstreak, Half-moon Hairstreak
Satyrium semiluna is a small hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, distributed across western North America in sagebrush steppe habitats. Larvae feed on lupines, particularly Lupinus sericeus and Lupinus lepidus. The species was formerly treated as a subspecies of Satyrium fuliginosa but is now recognized as distinct. It is similar in range to Satyrium behrii but does not extend as far south.
Satyrium tetra
mountain mahogany hairstreak
Satyrium tetra, the mountain mahogany hairstreak, is a North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. As a member of the hairstreak group, it exhibits the characteristic small size and hindwing tail-like projections typical of this lineage. The species is associated with mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus) as its larval host plant, distinguishing it ecologically from related Satyrium species that feed on oaks. Adults have been documented through over 1,000 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is not considered rare.
Satyrium titus
Coral Hairstreak
Satyrium titus, the coral hairstreak, is a tailless North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is distinguished from other hairstreaks by the absence of tail-like projections on the hindwings and a distinctive row of red-orange spots on the underside of the hindwing. Adults frequent open, brushy habitats and are often observed nectaring at butterfly weed and other flowers. Caterpillars feed primarily on the fruits of wild plums, cherries, and related woody plants in the genera Prunus, Amelanchier, and Quercus.
Strephonota tephraeus
Pearly-gray Hairstreak
Strephonota tephraeus is a small lycaenid butterfly with a wingspan of 22–29 mm, commonly known as the Pearly-gray Hairstreak. The species ranges from Mexico through Central America to the Amazon basin and northern South America, with rare vagrant records in southern Texas. It inhabits lowland tropical forests, particularly riparian corridors, and exhibits multivoltine breeding in Mexico with adults active from May through December.
Strymon
Scrub-Hairstreaks
Strymon is a genus of scrub hairstreak butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, comprising small, delicate butterflies found primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical realms. The genus was historically treated as its own monotypic tribe (Strymonini) due to its distinct evolutionary lineage within the Eumaeini. Species such as the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) are among the most widespread and commonly encountered members of this group in North America.
Strymon albata
White Scrub-Hairstreak, white hairstreak
Strymon albata, the white hairstreak or white scrub-hairstreak, is a small lycaenid butterfly distributed from southern Texas through Central America to northern South America. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and from June to December in southern Texas. The species inhabits second growth and shrubby fields in seasonally dry tropical lowlands. Larvae feed specifically on flower buds and young fruits of Abutilon incanum, while adults nectar on various flowers including blue boneset.
Strymon alea
Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak, Alea Hairstreak
Strymon alea is a small hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, first described by Godman and Salvin in 1887. It ranges from northwestern Costa Rica through Mexico to central and southern Texas, occupying subtropical thorn scrub habitat. The species has a wingspan of 19–29 mm. Adults feed on flower nectar, while larvae feed specifically on Bernardia myricaefolia buds and flowers.
Strymon melinus
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus, the Gray Hairstreak, is a small lycaenid butterfly widespread across North America. Males exhibit density-dependent mating tactics, defending perches on hilltops at low densities and switching to patrolling behavior when intruder numbers increase. The species thrives in weedy, disturbed habitats and urban environments, with a notably long flight season from February to November at low elevations. It is considered stable or increasing in parts of its range, including California's Central Valley.
Strymon rufofusca
Red-crescent Scrub-Hairstreak, Red-crescent Hairstreak
Strymon rufofusca is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Red-crescent Scrub-Hairstreak or Red-crescent Hairstreak. It is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources. The species is part of the hairstreak group, characterized by thin tail-like projections on the hindwings. Its MONA (Hodges) number is 4338.
Strymon yojoa
Yojoa Scrub-Hairstreak
Strymon yojoa is a small hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Yojoa Scrub-Hairstreak. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of butterflies often associated with scrubland and open habitats. The species was originally described as Thecla yojoa by Reakirt in 1867 and later transferred to the genus Strymon. Like other hairstreaks, it likely exhibits the characteristic tail-like hindwing projections and rapid, erratic flight patterns typical of the group.