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Life Stages Diagram
The bars in this diagram show approximate times of the year when the butterfly will be present, in Nova Scotia, in its various life stages.

The dates shown for the adult stage are based on actual reports for Nova Scotia. The majority of reports will be within the period shown, but small numbers of adults will be earlier or later.

Dates for egg, larva and pupa are based on what information was available regarding time periods for eggs to develop, and typical time required for pupation. Like the adults, some records can be expected outside the date ranges we have shown. We caution that dates for these immature stages are mostly conjectural.

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 Gray Hairstreak
Eastern Tailed-Blue 
Early Hairstreak - Erora laeta
[Early Hairstreak image]
Early Hairstreak - Mt. Greylock, MA - 1999-05-16
Photo © Kristine Wallstrom
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Status in Nova Scotia
Extremely rare. Was collected in the past (1905-1931) around Digby, and 1944 in Halifax (Armdale). Some were taken in the Wentworth Valley in the late 1980s, and one was seen in the Annapolis valley in the late 1990s. The Maritimes Butterfly Atlas S-rank for this species is "S1:Extremely rare: May be especially vulnerable to extirpation (typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals)".

Flight Period
Mid-May to mid-June. Very few records.

Habitat
Deciduous woods where Beech present.

Larval Foodplants
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), possibly also Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta). See notes.

Similar Species in Nova Scotia
Similar to other hairstreaks, but much greener and lacks tails on hindwings.

Notes
Layberry recounts the discovery that the larvae of this species feed on Beech nuts, not leaves. They begin with the husk of the developing nut and then bore into the interior.

Further Reading