This small, dark hairstreak has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch. Dorsally, the wings are dark brown to blackish. Ventrally, the wings of the male are brownish-black and the wings of the female are slate-colored. The forewings and hindwings ventrally have dark rectangles and dashes outlined with white. Near the tails is a blue patch with an orange mark to the side. There is usually not any orange above the blue spot. The abdomen is gray and the antennae are checkered black and white with black clubs. The mature caterpillar is approximately 3/4 inch long and extremely variable in coloration. It can be green to gray, reddish or brown. There is often a dark patch on top of the thorax and the 1st abdominal segment and at the 4 segments of the abdomen.
This uncommon butterfly appears in the spring, from mid to late June, and can be seen nectaring at flowers such as milkweed.
These hairstreaks, along with their closely related allies (Hickory, Edwards and Striped) are some of the most variable butterflies and can be almost impossible to identify in the field. The larvae feed on the leaves of oaks and hickories.
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