Especially common in the coastal southeast, the Red-banded Hairstreak becomes sparser in the mid-Atlantic states and the Ohio Valley, and is merely a visitor further north. The flowers of the host plant and of other sumacs attract the adults as nectar sources. Especially active at dusk, these butterflies lurk among leaves until disturbed.

description 3/4-1" (19-25 mm). Brown-black above, pale iridescent blue patches near tails on male, covering much of HW above on female, sometimes also on FW base. Gray-brown below with bright jagged tricolor banner of white, black, and red, with flame-red innermost and broad on both FW and HW; between 2 tails biggest HW spot more black than red.

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