Early Hairstreak - Erora laeta
![[Early Hairstreak image]](img/010196.jpg "Early Hairstreak - Mt. Greylock, MA - 1999-05-16")
Photo © Kristine Wallstrom
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
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
- eButterfly site
- Butterflies of Canada site (n.b. As of May 2021, many portions of this site not working properly.)