The Red-banded Hairstreak is unusual in that its larvae feed on dead leaves on the forest floor. According to the literature, foodplants include various oaks and sumacs, including staghorn sumac, but I've never seen any individuals on or near sumac.
The individuals I've seen have shown a tendency towards shade or sun/shade edges in the forest. They also show a proclivity for water, and I've had more than one occasion to scoop one out of a pool.
These are very common in the South; I see them routinely in Houston, and have also seen individuals at Antietam, Myrtle Beach, Lisbon, North Bay, in our back yard, and elsewhere.
Species description
Click for shots
Myrtle Beach, SC Apr. 5, 2007
North Bay, MD Aug. 29, 2007
Scooped from our kiddie pool Aug 23, 2006
No comments:
Post a Comment