Red Banded Hairstreak: Essential Facts and Tips for Butterfly Lovers

The Red Banded Hairstreak, scientifically known as Calycopis cecrops, is a captivating species of butterfly with distinct markings on its wings. With its unique patterns, this small butterfly has charmed enthusiasts and researchers alike.

As its name suggests, the Red Banded Hairstreak sports a brilliant red band across the lower part of each hindwing. In addition to the eye-catching red band, the butterfly has a grey to brown base color with blue highlights towards the outer edges. These butterflies inhabit wooded areas and forest edges, where they feed on nectar from various flowering plants.

One notable characteristic of the Red Banded Hairstreak is its fascinating behavior. When resting on leaves, the butterfly moves its hindwings in a way that resembles an antennae-like motion, creating the illusion of a false head. This clever tactic helps the butterfly confuse predators and protect itself from potential threats.

Red Banded Hairstreak Overview

The Red-banded Hairstreak (scientific name: Calycopis cecrops) is a small butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae and genus Calycopis. This butterfly’s wingspan ranges from ¾ to 1 inch (1.9 – 2.5 cm), with distinctive patterns and colors on its wings, including an underwing surface that’s light gray-brown and a red or orange band edged with a thin white line that crosses both hind and forewings¹. Here are some key features of the Red-banded Hairstreak:

• Family: Lycaenidae
• Genus: Calycopis
• Scientific name: Calycopis cecrops
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Wingspan: ¾ – 1 inch (1.9 – 2.5 cm)

The species name cecrops originated in ancient Greece, referring to a mythical king whose top half resembled a human and the bottom half looked like a fish or reptile². This name could be related to the butterfly’s appearance, as hairstreaks often seem to have two heads, fooling predators into targeting the outer hindwing edge instead of the butterfly’s actual head³.

Various factors characterize these butterflies, such as:

• Unique patterns of white, black, and red-orange bands
• Bold eyespots on wings
• Small, threadlike hindwing “tails”

Physical Characteristics

Wings and Coloration

The Red Banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) is a small butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 1-1.5 inches. Their wings have several notable features:

• Coloration: Predominantly gray-brown with white-edged black bands
• Hindwings: Unique red-orange band and a row of black eyespots
• Tails: Two short tails extending from the hindwings, resembling antennae

Example colors on wings:

• Gray
• Black
• White
• Red-orange
• Brown

Caterpillars and Eggs

Caterpillars and eggs also exhibit interesting physical attributes:

Caterpillars

• Length: Short, reaching around 0.5 inches when fully grown
• Coloration: Brown with orange and black markings
• Eyespots: Has a row of orange eyespots edged with black

Eggs

• Color: Bright red-orange hue
• Size: Tiny, around 0.03 inches in diameter

Comparison Table

Habitat and Distribution

The Red Banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) is a small butterfly belonging to the Lycaenidae family. It’s native to North America, where its distribution spans across the Eastern and Southeastern United States.

• Habitat: These butterflies prefer wooded areas, forest edges, and gardens.
• Adult: The adult Red Banded Hairstreak has a unique pattern of white, black, and red-orange bands, alongside hindwing “tails” which resemble mock antennae to fool predators.

The distribution of this species varies in different regions of North America.

• United States: They can be found from New Jersey to Florida, and west to Texas and Oklahoma.
• Eastern United States: Populations are more abundant in East Coast states.
• Southeastern United States: The Red Banded Hairstreak is commonly encountered in the Southeast.

In summary, the Red Banded Hairstreak is a fascinating butterfly with a distinctive appearance and a notable distribution across the Eastern and Southeastern United States. Their preferred habitats include wooded areas and gardens, making them an essential part of the North American ecosystem.

Diet and Host Plants

Nectar Sources

Red Banded Hairstreak butterflies feed on nectar from various plants. Some examples of their preferred nectar sources are:

• White clover
• Milkweed
• Lantana

These flowers attract the Red Banded Hairstreak and provide them with essential nutrients.

Caterpillar Host Plants

The caterpillar stage of the Red Banded Hairstreak relies on specific host plants for food and protection, such as:

• Wax myrtle
• Sumac
• Oak

Caterpillars feed on the leaves and foliage of these plants, where they blend in and avoid predation. Below is a comparison table of the two host plants:

These host plants play a vital role in the life cycle of the Red Banded Hairstreak, discussing their preferences and relationship with their selected host plants.