Banded Hairsteak Satyrium calanus

Easily the most common spring Hairstreak on high cycle years. Vanishes after May. Several of the Hairstreaks have the gray-brown base color with the streaking bands. Note in this Banded the absence of any orange capping on the blue spot. I have seen some with a faint cap there. (See other Bandeds below.) This and the thick bands separate it from all but the Hickory and the Edward's. Edward's has circular spots instead of square bands. The Hickory is trickory. Or something like that. Confounds even the experts. But the blue spot usually extends more deeply. And that big check mark in front of the blue spot cap is usually split. Glassberg's separation by the postmedian band having white on both sides in the Hickory is not reliable as you can see here. He does not picture a Banded equivalent to our local versions in his Eastern Guide.

Another typical Banded. Headed down, they often perch in any position possible.

Probably a male, having his way with a susan.

From the boom boom boom year of 2007 from Petit Jean. These were vermin that year.

Also from the boom year of 2007. This one from Stone county. All the hairstreaks that morning were coming out on the sand road to sun in the 45 degree temperatures. Note the hint of an orange cap here on the blue. And the totally different placement of bands from the above specimen.

And look out for this guy. Those hindwing exterior spots are straight off an Edwards' Hairstreak. Unfortunately, no other features are consistent. That is too much space between the rows on the forewing and the main band block. Also Edwards' has quite a bit of orange consistently below that bottom hindwing slash.

And the only Hairstreak in the north counties I shot that seemed to qualify for the Hickory Hairstreak. Strong blue spot. Posterior hindwing spots almost Edwards-like and the final check split. Strong white on both sides of all bands. And no orange under lower hindwing margin stripe. I have taken many banded shots. This one is unique.