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Thecla (Entomology the hairstreak)

in entomology, the hairstreak; a genus of Lycænidæ. wings wholly dark brown, or with a large blotch of some other color, or with pale markings near the hinder margin; hind wings with a transverse pale line below, which is entire, interrupted, or nearly obsolete. Larvæ feeding on trees, shrubs, or papilionaceous plants. Common in all temperate regions. T. rubi, the green hairstreak, has the under side of the wings green; the rest have not this character. T. betulæ, the brown hairstreak, has the under side of the hind wings with two slender white streaks.

T. pruni, the dark hairstreak, has an orange band with a row of black spots; T. album, the black hairstreak, a black line; and T. quercus, the purple hairstreak, has two small orange spots instead of the band. The first of the five is the most common.