It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Butterfly!
What the heck is a Hairstreak? Ok, ok, I know it is a butterfly and a fairly common one to be sure but where did it get its rather curious and comical name?
The Hairstreak… an unassuming Superhero?
Is the Hairstreak just another unassuming Superhero who is to inspire the names of scads of amusement park coasters?
Hmmm… I don’t think so, but I do believe that Hairstreaks somewhat fit the Superhero bill. They are, after all, courageous and dashing creatures who fly about in uniquely patterned suits.
The dictionary defines the word Hairstreak as being small butterflies of the family Lycaenidae (Subfamily Theclinae) which usually have striped markings on the underside of their wings and thin filamentous projections from the hind wings.
California Native Mallow, one of the Hairstreak’s many host plants.
Jeff Glassberg, author of Butterflies Through Binoculars, has this to say about origins of the word Hairstreak. “The name of these small but intricately patterned butterflies is thought to be derived either from the many lines or streaks that tend to appear on the hind wing or from the usual presence of fine, hair-like tails.”
This Sylvan Hairstreak survived an attack. Heads predator wins, tails he loses!
Having observed these dazzling creatures in action, I can personally attest to accuracy of the above descriptions. Hairstreaks often have brightly streaked markings. They also flaunt false antennae or hairlike tails which are meant to confuse predators as to which side is their actual head is on.
A hairy Hairstreak rests on California Buckwheat.