Juniper Hairstreak is fairly common in North Carolina, found wherever their host plant, Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), grows.

Flat River impoundment, Falls Lake, Durham Co., NC 4/13/03.

Knap of Reeds Creek impoundment, Falls Lake, Granville Co., NC 4/29/07.

Granville Co., NC 5/20/2012.

Granville Co., NC 5/20/2012.

This one is so faded it could be confused with a worn Red-banded Hairstreak.

Granville Co., NC 5/20/2012.

These mint-green gems feed on Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) leaves as larvae. The female at left is busy laying eggs on the host plant. Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham Co., NC 6/8/03.

They have a great fondness for mint flowers, especially Pycnanthemum (mountain-mint), though the individual above is nectaring on Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris).

Our only similar butterfly is the rare and local Hessel's Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli) of the Coastal Plain.

Pulaski Co., VA 7/13/07.

Durham, NC 7/16/13

Attracted to a porch light at night.

Durham, NC 7/24/2013.

This one is on fennel.

Caswell Co., NC 8/4/02.

On goldenrod (Solidago).

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

Along the coast of NC, the host plant is Southern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana silicicola).

Fort Fisher, New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Fort Fisher, New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

In Texas they tend to be a little browner. Eisenhower Park, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX 6/7/04.