Callophrys hesseli
Size:
Wingspan is 7/8 - 1 inch.
Similar Species:
Juniper Hairstreak
Habitat:
Swamps, bays and pocosins where Atlantic White-cedar grows.
Range/Abundance:
Rare to uncommon in the coastal plain where Atlantic
White-cedar grows.
Flight Period:
Adults fly in two broods. The first brood flies from early April until
late May, the second brood flies from late June until mid August.
Larval Host Plants:
Atlantic White-cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides
Comments:
This hairstreak tends to stay up in the trees most of the day. In late
afternoon it drops from the trees to nectar on the flowers below.
The Hessel's Hairstreak in the top photo was nectaring on Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum. Notice in the bottom of the photo holes in the sides of the blossoms, these were made by bees. The smaller butterflies like hairstreaks and elfins use these holes to obtain nectar easily.
The top photo was taken at Jones Lake State Park in Bladen Co., NC on April 01, 2000. The bottom photo was provided by Ed Lam.
