Red-banded Hairstreak
Calycopis cecrops
The spots and tail-like structures on its hindwings mimic a second head, tricking birds into biting the expendable wing edges instead of its actual head.
- Scientific name
- Calycopis cecrops
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Lycaenidae › Calycopis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Forest edges, coastal hammocks, overgrown fields, and shrubby roadsides.
- Diet
- Adults drink nectar from sweet pepperbush, milkweed, and sumac flowers. Caterpillars eat fallen leaves and detritus of sumac and oak.
- Range
- Southeastern United States, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Kansas
- Size
- Wingspan of 2.0 to 3.0 cm (0.8 to 1.2 inches)
- Lifespan
- 5 to 14 days as an adult
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, widespread pesticide use, and loss of leaf litter where caterpillars feed.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Safe to observe at any distance. If it lands on you, remain still to enjoy the encounter. Do not touch or grab the wings, as their delicate scales are easily damaged. No medical attention is required.
The red-banded hairstreak ( Calycopis cecrops ) is a butterfly native to the southeastern United States. It feeds on fallen leaves of sumac species and other trees. Its size ranges from 0.9–1.25 inches (23–32 mm). It lives near coastal areas.
Photo: Michael J. Papay, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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