Sunday, July 04, 2010

Juniper Hairstreak

Hairstreak butterflies can be difficult to identify, but this particular hairstreak is unusual among local hairstreak species in having green as a base color instead of bluish gray. This is a Juniper Hairstreak, or rather its eastern subspecies, Olive Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus gryneus). The larvae of this species feed on Eastern Red Cedar, a common tree in this area.