• Butterflies
• Dragonflies
• Damselflies
• Tiger beetles
• Hike with Mike

• The butterflies:
• Gossamer-wing Butterflies
  • Harvesters
  • Coppers
  • Hairstreaks
  • Blues
• Hairstreaks
  • Coral Hairstreak
  • Acadian Hairstreak
  • Edwards’ Hairstreak
  • Banded Hairstreak
  • Hickory Hairstreak
  • Striped Hairstreak
  • Brown Elfin
  • Hoary Elfin
  • Frosted Elfin
  • Henry’s Elfin
  • Eastern Pine Elfin
  • Juniper Hairstreak
  • White M Hairstreak
  • Gray Hairstreak
  • Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
  • Early Hairstreak
  • Western Pine Elfin

Edwards’ Hairstreak

(Satyrium edwardsii)

In areas with many small oak trees available, this species will often be found perched in the open about 3 feet from the ground. If there is an abundance of nectar sources such as milkweed available, this species will often be found on these flowers. I have seen six individuals on a single Orange Milkweed plant. In more mature woodlands, this species may be found perching high in the trees in a sunny spot, with the males defending their area and lashing out at any other butterfly that may flutter by. Battles with other Edwards’ Hairstreaks may spiral nearly out of site with the combatants returning and landing at nearly the same location.

Identifying characteristics: Underneath the Edwards’ Hairstreak is brownish gray with a row of darker ovals on the front wing, not connected into a band, and ringed with white. On the back wing, there is a row of submarginal orange crescents, not as prominent as in the Coral or Acadian Hairstreaks, a blue spot not ringed with orange, and an obvious tail.

Similar species: Most likely to be confused with the Banded Hairstreak as these species are found together and are of similar size and color. The Banded has a row of spots on the front wing that are rectangular, connected and not surrounded by white, and form a narrow band. The Edwards’ Hairstreak always has this row of spots seperated and each spot is surrounded by a white ring.

Habitat: Woodland edges, savannah, and hedgerows that contain a variety of Oaks, the main larvae plant for this species.

Flight: One brood, late June and July and sometimes into early August.

Abundance: May become very common in oak savanna or oak woodlands, but does not congregate in large numbers. You are much more likely to see two or three individuals in an area, but good, close nectar sources, especially if they are not abundant may attract those that are in the vicinity.

Early Edwards’ Hairstreak sightings, all years

Date seen	County	Reported by
06–19–2007	Sauk	Ann Thering
06–23–2007	Iowa	Todd Sima and Mike Reese
06–23–2007	Dane	David Drexler
06–26–2005	Dane	David Drexler
06–27–2004	Walworth	Eric R. Howe
06–28–2007	Grant	Todd Sima

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