Description ²

Unmistakable, and arguably the most beautiful of the hairstreaks that occur on Martha's Vineyard. Ground color is green to brownish-green. A bold white band crosses the forewing and a sinuous white band crosses the hindwing. Two white spots are on the hindwing, closer to the base. Two flight periods: late April into mid- or late May, and mid-July into early August. This butterfly associates very closely with its only local host plant, eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Juniper hairstreak varies considerably in abundance from year to year; when it is plentiful, it can be found a high percentage of large stands of red cedar. When scarce, this can be a difficult species to find at all. Adults can be spotted perched on the tips of twigs; they can also be found by tugging on the branch of a cedar and looking for the disturbed butterflies swirling up into the air. Look for this species also as it nectars on flowers, generally near a stand of cedars.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Matt Pelikan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Pelikan
2. (c) Matt Pelikan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CalPhotos
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

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