• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

• Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

• Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

• Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)

• Hairstreaks (Subfamily Theclinae)

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Subfamily Theclinae, commonly known as the hairstreak butterflies, is a diverse subfamily within the family Lycaenidae. Members of Theclinae are generally small butterflies characterized by delicate bodies, fine wing markings, and, in many species, one or more slender tail-like projections on the hind wings. These tails, often accompanied by eye spots and contrasting patterns near the wing margins, can create a "false head" that helps deflect attacks from predators away from vital body parts. Hairstreaks occur worldwide, with especially high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions, inhabiting forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, and gardens.