Banded Hairstreak
(Satyrium calanus falacer)
Banded Hairstreak
(Satyrium calanus falacer)
The Banded Hairstreak is one of the most common hairstreaks in Ohio, but it is often missed because it spends most of its time in the tops of trees. It is most likely to be encountered in forest openings or along forest edges where it comes to the ground to feed. It is reported to visit milkweeds, ironweed, dogbane clovers and butterfly weed. This specimen was seen visiting Queen Anne's Lace.
It is easily confused with the less common Hickory Hairstreak. The best way to distinguish the two species is to compare them side-by-side.