The Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly (Calycopis cecrops) is a common inhabitant of forest margins in the Southeastern United States. The larvae feed on decaying leaves. The individual shown here was warming up in the sunlight on a relatively cool day. Note the characteristic movement of the hindwings relative to the forewings, as well as the free movement of the "tails" in the wind. This movement is thought to attract predators to the "wrong end" of the butterfly. Evidence for this can be found in the frequent occurence of damage to the area of the tails. These clips were made on April 5, 2007 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
