The Striped Hairstreak is a small brown butterfly commonly found in woodland edges and shrubby clearings across parts of the United States and southern Canada. The underside of the wings is gray brown and marked with several narrow, white-edged bands that create a striped appearance. The hindwings feature two thin tails, along with an orange-capped blue patch and several small red spots near the base of the tails. A few white dashes and additional red markings help distinguish this species from other hairstreaks. The upperwing surface is rarely seen but is generally dark brown in both sexes.

 

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Striped Hairstreak Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
Butterfly Subfamily: Theclinae
Butterfly Wingspan: 1 – 1½ inches
Butterfly Habitat: Woodland edges, shrubby fields, powerline corridors, and openings near deciduous forests

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the native plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• American Plum (Prunus americana)

• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

• Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

• Wild Plum (Prunus spp.)

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Striped Hairstreak butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

• Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)