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The absence of a tail and lack of ventral blue markings, in combination with a row of underside marginal orange spots, will distinguish the Coral from other hairstreaks. Subspecies immaculosus occurs throughout most of Alberta, with a darker, undescribed population inhabiting the Peace River grasslands (Bird et al. 1995).

The eggs overwinter, and are green when first laid, turning to white (Acorn 1993). The larva is yellow-green, covered with fine, short hairs and three dorsal reddish patches (Layberry et al. 1998). Larvae feed at night (Acorn 1993), and hide in plant litter at the base of the foodplant during the day and are tended by ants, at least in Michigan (Nielsen 1999). Adults are fast fliers and males will hilltop (Bird et al. 1995), and both sexes like sitting on the leaves of chokecherry (Hooper 1973).

Larvae feed on the flowers, leaves and developing fruits of chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) (Bird et al. 1995). Adults are most often encountered flying about or perching on shrubs, but also visit flowers, including goldenrod (Solidago sp.) in Alberta (Schmidt unpubl. data).