King’s Hairstreak Satyrium kingi

King’s Hairstreak was described by Klots and Clench in 1952 with the type locality being Savannah, Chatham County. It occurs statewide and is locally uncommon, although in good habitat, it can be numerous in some years. It is often found perching on or near its hostplant, sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria), a low-growing shrub with shiny green leaves that is often found on the edges of swamps and along creeks but is also found in dry soils in the Sandhills and the Mountains. Along the Coast, Sweetleaf is often a prolific understory plant in open oak forests mixed with some pines, and it is there that King’s Hairstreak occurs in the greatest density. One brood: Mountains- late June to late July; Northern Piedmont including Atlanta: early June into early July; Taylor County: July 16 (anomaly); Emanuel County: May 15 (one record); Coast: May 10-Jun 1. Early Date: 11 May (Chatham County); Late Date: 25 July (White County). Conservation Status: Secure.