White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)

This special butterfly occurs throughout North Carolina, but it is uncommon to rare and is always exciting to find! It is 3 brooded, flying from late February to late October. At first glance, it could be confused with Gray Hairstreak, but note that White M Hairstreaks have an additional white mark on the leading edge of the underhindwing, a stronger "M" or "W" mark on the outer corner of the underhindwing, and a red-orange spot that's more inset from the wing margin. And when seen in flight, the uppersides flash a brilliant blue!
White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Orange Co., NC
8 Sep 2005
White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Haywood Co., NC
15 Apr 2006

White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Clay Co., NC
13 May 2006

Rarely seen in the wild, except fleetingly in flight, the uppersurface of White M Hairstreaks is a brilliant blue color. These hairstreaks do not normally perch with open wings.


White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
10 June 2008
White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Clay Co., NC
20 May 2007

White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Blue Ridge Pkwy near Price Park, Watauga Co., NC
23 Aug 2016

White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Richmond Co., NC
11 Sep 2021

White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Alamance Co., NC
22 Feb 2023

Highly cropped, natural lighting


White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
16 Aug 2023

I first spotted her upside down then she crawled up and started nectaring on Helenium amarum



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Created on ... Sep 8, 2005 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com