• 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

Hickory Hairstreak

(Satyrium caryaevorum)

Ebner did not list the Hickory Hairstreak in the Butterflies of Wisconsin in 1970. The Hickory Hairstreak, like the Northern Crescent and Canadian Tiger Swallowtail are newly recognized species and undoubtedly there is still much to be learned about the Wisconsin distribution of this species. The Banded Hairstreak pictured in Ebner’s book is actually a very typical Hickory Hairstreak, not a Banded Hairstreak.

Identifying characteristics: This species is similar in size to the other Wisconsin Hairstreaks. Beneath, the postmedian band is wide and offset, with white on both edges of the bands, and a blue spot that extends to the postmedian band on the hindwing.

Similar species: The Hickory Hairstreak is most similar to the Banded Hairstreak. The postmedian band of the forewing in the Hickory Hairstreak is thicker, more offset, and has white on both sides of the band. The blue spot of the Hickory extends farther into the wing than the blue spot on the Banded Hairstreak. This can be very difficult to discern and you may want to look for the difference in the comparative size of the orange-capped spot directly above it, which is always is noticeably smaller than the blue spot in the Hickory Hairstreak. The Striped Hairstreak has much wider and offset bands, and an orange cap on the blue spot on the hind wing beneath. The Hickory and the Banded Hairstreaks do not have this orange cap on the blue spot.

Habitat: Clearings and woodland edges especially where Hickory, its preferred host plant grows. This species is also reported to feed on Walnut, Oak, and Ash.

Flight: One brood, from late June through July.

Abundance: The Hickory Hairstreak is not a common species in Wisconsin, but may be found throughout the state. This species, like the Banded and Edwards’ Hairstreaks have outbreaks where they may become locally abundant.

Early Hickory Hairstreak sightings, all years

Date seen	County	Reported by
06–23–2007	Iowa	Todd Sima and Mike Reese
06–28–2007	Grant	Todd Sima
07–04–2007	Grant	Todd Sima
07–05–2007	Dane	Ann Thering , Joan Braune, Karl and Dorothy Legler, and rest SWBA group
07–11–2003	Trempealeau	Mike Reese
07–11–2007	Sauk	Scott Swengel, Ann Swengel

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