Red Banded Hairstreak

Calycopis cecrops is resident to the southeastern United States and migratory in parts northward, occasionally as far as Michigan and Saskatchewan (Scott 1986). Habitats aremostly lower austral to upper austral zone brush and open dry woods. Host plants are shrubs and herbs from several families: Anacardiaceae, Myricaceae, Euphorbiaceae. Larvae are thought to eat mostly fallen detritus. Eggs are laid singly on dead leaves and detritus beneath the host plant. Individuals overwinter as early fourth-stage larvae. There are multiple flights each year with the approximate flight time April1-Oct31 in the northern part of the range and year-round in Florida (Scott 1986).

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.

Its genome was sequenced in 2016. It has a false "head" that helps it avoid predators. In a 2012 experiment, C. cecrops was exposed to a jumping spider, Phidippus pulcherrimus, which researchers found to be a "very efficient strategy in deflecting attacks."