Hairstreak Season

Banded Hairstreak

I started the hairstreak butterfly season off with a bang last Sunday. Yesterday while looking at the Southern (Northern ssp.) Hairstreaks, I saw lots of Banded Hairstreaks. It was the first day I saw that species and it was out in full force. It outnumbered the others by about two to one. I am sure the other species of hairstreak will be seen there such as Hickory, Striped, Coral and possibly Edwards.

I checked the site every day this week except Wednesday, and saw the Oak Hairstreaks in several different stages from worn to fresh. There were both males and females chasing each other around. Probably more females than males. This is all good evidence of a "colony" meaning they breed there. It makes one wonder how long they have been there. There has never been a known colony of this species in Canada before, so this represents a first for Canada.

Thursday I saw up to ten.

The proper name now is Southern Hairstreak, "northern" subspecies. It becomes confusing depending on what book you use. The Southern used to be a separate species from the Northern, and intergrades exist where their ranges overlap. Even the latin name varies. Most now call this one Satyrium favonius ontario.