New Jersey Butterfly Club

Red-banded Hairstreak

Calycopis cecrops

Identification: Very small—size of American Copper. Almost never seen with wings open. Above: FW and HW iridescent blue (though rarely visible). Below: Gray-brown with bright red-orange band (edged in white outwardly) across both wings. Similar hairstreaks: Unlike any other NJ hairstreak.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Primarily a southern species that in recent years has become much more common in northern counties. Common from Monmouth and Burlington counties south.

Habitat: Fields and meadows with wildflowers. Frequently visits gardens with flowers such as goldenrods, sedums, and mountainmints.

Flight Period: Late April to early November but most common in May-June and again in August-September. Extreme dates: North Jersey 4/30-11/9; South Jersey 3/30-11/13.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Sumacs, primarily Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum); Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera), and possibly oaks and others. Apparently feeds primarily on leaf detritus of food plants.

Overwintering Stage: 4th-instar caterpillar.

Good Locations: Sandy Hook GNRA, Higbee Beach WMA, Cattus Island CP, Belleplain SF, Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve—almost anywhere in South Jersey.