Early Hairstreak
Erora laeta (W.H. Edwards, 1862)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: 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.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 15/16 inch (2.2 - 2.4 cm).
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.
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.
NCGR: 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.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 196 verified sightings
Observation date: May 31, 2023
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 31, 2023
Observation date: Apr 11, 2023
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Apr 19, 2023
Observation date: Apr 26, 2009
Submitted by: Diane Lepkowski
Region: Greene County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: drerbium
Verified date: Jun 25, 2022
Observation date: Apr 30, 2022
Submitted by: StaceyWhetstone
Region: Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Jun 13, 2022
Observation date: Jun 01, 2019
Submitted by: rhedden
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Mar 07, 2021
Observation date: Apr 09, 2019
Submitted by: dhcox57
Region: Madison County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: drerbium
Verified date: Jan 04, 2021
Observation date: Apr 05, 2016
Submitted by: Dallasyork97
Region: Georgia, Walker County, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Aug 04, 2020
Observation date: Jun 11, 2016
Submitted by: Melinda Fawver
Region: Carter County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: S. J. Stedman
Verified date: Jun 17, 2016
Observation date: Apr 29, 2016
Submitted by: G Jeschke
Region: Madison County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: May 11, 2016
Observation date: Apr 16, 2004
Submitted by: AJ Trently
Region: Campbell County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: dbruce
Verified date: Nov 27, 2015
Observation date: Jun 01, 2012
Submitted by: khemeon
Region: Bennington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: Kent McFarland
Verified date: Jun 18, 2012
Observation date: May 20, 2012
Submitted by: khemeon
Region: Bennington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: Kent McFarland
Verified date: Jun 18, 2012
Observation date: May 20, 2012
Submitted by: khemeon
Region: Bennington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: Kent McFarland
Verified date: Jun 03, 2012
Observation date: May 27, 2012
Submitted by: khemeon
Region: Bennington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: Kent McFarland
Verified date: Jun 03, 2012
Observation date: May 20, 2012
Submitted by: khemeon
Region: Bennington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: Kent McFarland
Verified date: Jun 03, 2012
Observation date: May 27, 2012
Submitted by: khemeon
Region: Bennington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: Kent McFarland
Verified date: Jun 03, 2012
Observation date: May 26, 2012
Submitted by: Rick Henle
Region: Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States
Verified by: coreyhusic
Verified date: May 30, 2012
Observation date: May 30, 2008
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (F.Model+E.Nielsen)
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 24, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Pam Weatherbee)
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 22, 1992
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Edna Dunbar)
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 06, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mark Fairbrother (MBC))
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 04, 2000
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Gagnon)
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 06, 2011
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Bo Zaremba)
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 07, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Frank Model)
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
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