Gray Hairstreak

family Lycaenidae: Hairstreaks Behr's Hairstreak Brown Elfin Golden Hairstreak Juniper Hairstreak Sheridan's Hairstreak Blue Butterfly Identification Types of Butterflies

For practical purposes, the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinu) represents the Strymon genus of haristreaks in the United States.

The remaining dozen or so species in the genus are southern species, with limited representation in southern Florida, Texas and Arizona.

On the other hand, with the exception of portions of the northern Midwest and New England, the Gray Hairstreak can be found throughout the United States.

Its wide habitat can be attributed to its adaptability. A variety of flowering plants, including members of the pea and mallow family serve as larval host plants. Adults also nectar on a variety of flowers.

The top picture shows its characteristic gray wings with orange spots on the border next to the prodruting tail hairs. It is a bit larger in size comapred to other hairstreak species.

© 2003 Patricia A. Michaels