Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) is in the Gossamer-winged Butterflies family (Lycaenidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 28,431 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Red-banded Hairstreak: observations by month (U.S.)
About Red-banded Hairstreak
The red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) is a butterfly native to the southeastern United States. It feeds on fallen leaves of sumac species and other trees. Its size ranges from 0.9–1.25 inches (23–32 mm). It lives near coastal areas.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Red-banded Hairstreak by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3,057 | May | Feb–Oct |
| Virginia | 2,917 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Maryland | 2,173 | August | Jul–Sep |
| North Carolina | 1,922 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Georgia | 1,783 | August | Jun–Oct |
| Texas | 1,753 | March | Mar–Oct |
| New Jersey | 1,594 | August | Aug–Sep |
| New York | 1,484 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Alabama | 1,424 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 1,378 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Tennessee | 1,281 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Louisiana | 1,067 | March | Mar–Oct |
| Arkansas | 884 | September | Jun–Oct |
| Oklahoma | 867 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Missouri | 644 | August | Jul–Sep |
| South Carolina | 637 | August | Jun–Oct |
| Connecticut | 557 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 527 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Mississippi | 474 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Ohio | 441 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Kentucky | 422 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Delaware | 402 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Rhode Island | 173 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Indiana | 135 | August | Jul–Sep |
| District of Columbia | 132 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Kansas | 129 | September | Aug–Sep |
| West Virginia | 76 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Illinois | 68 | July | Jul–Sep |
| New Hampshire | 23 | August | Aug–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Gray Hairstreak
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Marine Blue
Ceraunus Blue
Summer Azure
Western Pygmy-Blue
Reakirt's Blue
Acmon Blue
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Red-banded Hairstreak?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from April to October.
Where is Red-banded Hairstreak most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Virginia, Maryland.