Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus) (McDunnough, 1942) |
Synonyms: Satyrium caryaevorum |
Satyrium caryaevorus occurs in eastern North America from Minnesota to southern Ontario and southern Quebec, and south to Arkansas and North Carolina. It inhabits deciduous forests and woodlands with hickory (Carya spp.), including clearings and woodland edges. Uncommon, but can be abundant in some years. One flight a year, from late June to early August. The wingspan 22-35 mm. The underside is greyish-brown with a darker band outlined in white. The hindwing with one tail; the blue tail-spot is longer than the adjacent black-capped orange spot. Adults feed on the nectar of various flowers, including Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), dogbane (Apocynum spp.), Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), and the introduced White Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus). The larvae feed on the leaves of hickories (Carya spp.), oaks (Quercus spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), Butternut (Juglans cinerea), and hawthorns (Crataegus spp.).