The White M Hairstreak is a striking butterfly that appears plain and brown while perched, but reveals a brilliant flash of electric blue when in flight. The underside of the wings is gray brown with distinctive markings, including a thin white line that forms an “M” across the middle of the hindwing. Just above the tail, there is a single red spot and a small white spot along the outer margin.
The upperside of the male’s wings is iridescent blue with broad black borders, while females have mostly black upperwings with blue scaling near the base. Both sexes have two slender tails on each hindwing. This species is often found in oak woodlands, fields, and gardens where nectar sources are abundant.
White M Hairstreak Wings Closed
“White M Hairstreak” by Pondhawk, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)
White M Hairstreak Wings Open
“White M Hairstreak” by Roy Cohutta, licensed under (CC BY-ND-NC 1.0)
White M Hairstreak Facts
Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)
Butterfly Subfamily: Theclinae
Butterfly Wingspan: 1 1/4 – 1 5/8 inches
Butterfly Habitat: Woods with broadleaf trees
🪴 Host Plants
These are the native plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:
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Post Oak (Quercus stellata)
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Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
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White Oak (Quercus alba)
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Other native oaks (Quercus spp.)
🌸 Nectar Plants
Adult White M Hairstreak butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:
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Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
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Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa)
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Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
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Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
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Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
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Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
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Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
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Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)
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Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)
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Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)
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Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
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Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)
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New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
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Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata)
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Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
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Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium)
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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)