This hairsteak has a wingspan of approximately 1 – 1/ 4 inches. It is silvery gray ventrally with a black and white postmedian line that often has orange edging on the inside. There is an orange spot at the end of the hindwing and 2 hairlike “tails” projecting below the spot. Dorsally, the wings are dark gray with a bright orange eyespot on the hindwing. The abdomen is orange on males and gray on females. The antennae are checkered black and white with black and orange clubs. The mature larvae are about 5/8 inch long. They are usually entirely green and fuzzy, but there can be red, pink and brown forms also. The green forms have a dark green line on the top with angled cream colored lines radiating out from it.
This butterfly is fairly common in Fontenelle Forest in late summer and fall. It can be seen nectaring on flowers such as butterfly milkweed, asters and goldenrod.
Hairstreaks are in the subfamily Theclinae. They fly very fast, usually in a zigzag or circular pattern, and are very difficult for the eye to follow. When they land they usually perch with wings closed. The larvae eat flowering parts of legumes, mallows and many other plants.
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