Certainly was a surprise to me! And I must admit, I only caught it by dumb luck. Didn't notice the behavior by eye alone. The Hairstreak remained on the same mint blossoms for several minutes, while I was determinedly snapping away, trying to be in focus if it opened its wings. No luck... Total failure, I thought. Ended up taking dozens of what I assumed were repetitive, boring photos over several minutes. But what a surprise when I got home and examined those shots!

Since first noting this unique behavior (reported by many others), I have been paying more attention to it and recently half-humorously referred to this display (wing rubbing accompanied by outward curling of the distal corner of the fringed wing and eyespot) as the Hairstreak "fan dance". That joking remark, however, got me to thinking... perhaps it is a mating display instead of, or in addition to, the suggested "deception of predators" (which to me has always rung a bit false.) I did read elsewhere that "males perch all afternoon on small trees and shrubs to seek receptive females." My immediate question then is whether this behavior is equally practiced by male and female Gray Hairstreaks, or is it a primarily male behavior? I have done a good deal of online searching and have yet to find the answer. Perhaps this has already been studied?
Please keep in mind that I am strictly an amateur!
Thanks....
greg slak