Red-banded hairstreak

The red-banded hairstreak is a small, dark gossamer-wing crossed beneath by a vivid red-orange line, with tiny tails it rubs together to fake a head. It is common across the Southeast.

It flies in several broods, low around shrubby edges and gardens, and visits many small flowers.

Its caterpillar is unusual: rather than living leaves, it feeds on the fallen, decaying leaves of sumac and wax myrtle beneath the shrubs.