Banded Hairstreaks

     We are quickly learning in our second year that every year is different, starting with the weather. June this year is much cooler and rainier than last year, and the fritillaries in particular have been more uncommon. One new visitor has been the banded hairstreaks, of which we have had three, all of whom like to hang out on leaves quietly most of the time and not taking up nectar. When we are near them they tend to turn away, and regularly rub their wings together slowly and rhythmically. We have read that this is to deceive predators, in particular jumping spiders, and convince them that the back-end is the place to attack. The damaged wings of two of the three we have seen seem to indicate this is effective.