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Early Hairstreak
Erora laeta (W.H. Edwards, 1862)
Attributes of Erora laetaFamily: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae) Subfamily: Hairstreaks (Theclinae) Identification: No tails. Upperside blue and black; female has more blue than male. Underside turquoise blue; hindwing with 2 irregular bands of small orange spots. Life history: Males perch in treetops to watch for females. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars feed on leaves and fruits. Flight: Two broods in the north and three in the south, from April-September. Wing span: 7/8 - 15/16 inch (2.2 - 2.4 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Beech (Fagus grandifolia) and beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta). Adult food: Nectar from flowers of fleabane, ox-eyed daisy, and hardtack. Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woods, especially on open ridgetops and along dirt roads. Range: Rare and local in its range. Maritime Provinces west to northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin; south through the Appalachians to Tennessee and North Carolina. Conservation: All confirmed populations should be conserved. NatureServe Global Status: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: Protect habitats and nectar sources. | Documented Records for Erora laeta
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