# Acadian Hairstreak (*Satyrium acadica*)

The Acadian Hairstreak is a small butterfly with beautiful blue and brown colors. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often found in forests and meadows.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests and meadows

![Acadian Hairstreak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Satyrium_acadica_297783336.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Jake McCumber, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Satyrium_acadica_297783336.jpg)

## Appearance

The Acadian Hairstreak has dark brown upper wings, sometimes with a subtle orange patch on the hindwing. Its underside is light gray, marked by a distinct white line edged with black, and features two prominent orange spots with black centers on its hindwings, alongside delicate hair-like tails.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Lepidoptera
- **Family:** Lycaenidae
- **Genus:** Strymon

## Interesting facts

- Adult Acadian Hairstreaks typically live for just two short weeks in the summer!
- Its larvae only eat leaves from willow trees, making them very picky eaters!
- The tiny 'tails' on their wings help confuse predators about which way to attack.
- These butterflies are often found fluttering near wet, marshy areas and stream banks.

## Special abilities

- **False Head Deception:** Acadian Hairstreak has tiny tails and eye-spots on its hindwings that trick predators into attacking the wrong end, allowing it to escape.
- **Willow Wizard:** Acadian Hairstreak larvae can digest tough willow leaves because they possess special enzymes, turning a common plant into food.
- **Nectar Finder:** Acadian Hairstreak can locate specific flowering plants to drink nectar because of its keen vision and specialized antennae.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm
- **Size:** 12-18 mm
- **Lifespan:** 10-14 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat willow leaves, while adults sip nectar from various summer flowers for energy.

- **Age differences:** Larvae feed exclusively on willow leaves, while adults switch to consuming flower nectar and tree sap.
- **Primary Foods:** Salix nigra (Black Willow) leaves, Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) nectar, Apocynum cannabinum (Dogbane) nectar, Chamaedaphne calyculata (Leatherleaf) nectar
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Black Willow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-willow) (*Salix nigra*) — Larvae feed on leaves
- **Pollinates:** Dogbane (*Apocynum cannabinum*) — Adults collect nectar
- **Eaten by:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Aranaeus diadematus*) — Caught in spider webs

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Acadian Hairstreak?

Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Acadian Hairstreak's wingspan?

25-35 mm

### How big is Acadian Hairstreak?

12-18 mm

### How long does Acadian Hairstreak live?

10-14 days

### What does Acadian Hairstreak eat?

Larvae eat willow leaves, while adults sip nectar from various summer flowers for energy.

### Where is Acadian Hairstreak usually found?

Forests and meadows

### How does Acadian Hairstreak hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Acadian Hairstreak have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Acadian Hairstreak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/acadian-hairstreak)