A rather large hairstreak, it has a wingspan of 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 inches. The underside of the wings is brown. The ventral side of the forewing has a row of white dashes and a red streak on the leading edge. The hindwing, ventrally, has a row of long white dashes that form an “M” near the tails. There is a red spot and a larger blue spot, also near the tails. The single white dash on the hindwing is diagnostic. The dorsal side of the wings is a deep, iridescent blue.
The White M Hairstreak is very rare in Fontenelle Forest. It has been seen twice in Fontenelle Forest in early August of 2012 and 2020. The individual photographed by Rick Schmid was the first record for the state of Nebraska. It is more commonly found in the eastern U.S. Adults nectar at flowers and take minerals from wet sand, but usually stay high up in trees. The first one was photographed in Fontenelle Forest mineralizing on the shore of the Missouri River across from Child’s Hollow. The butterfly photographed by Joanne Langabee was found at Camp Brewster.
The caterpillars feed on the leaves of oak trees. They are yellow-green with dark green stripes on the back and sides and grow to .75 inch. This species spends the winter as a pupa.
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