Strymon melinus

Gray Hairstreak

Introduction:

The upper sides of the wings are gray with an orange spot on the hind margin. The underside of the wings are a lighter gray with white and black lines and orange and blue marginal spots near the hind-wings' tail-like extensions. These extensions twitch while at rest, and may imitate a separate head to encourage predators to go for the wings, potentially allowing the bug to survive.
Life Cycle:

Size 0.8-1.25 inch (20-32 mm)
Sexual Dimorphism:
Metamorphosis: complete (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

Insect Data

Names and Taxonomy

Common Names: gray hairstreak, bean lycaenid, cotton square borer
Synonyms:
Order: Lepidoptera (Butterfkies and Moths)
Family: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Genus Information: 5 species in NV, 14 in CA, 14 in US

Distribution

Distribution: Venezuela to central Texas, NM, NV
Seen: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Habitat: wide range of habitats ranging from tropical forests and mountains to temperate woodland areas and meadows, as well as cities and farmland
Food: They use mallows and legumes as their preferred host plant. They commonly use clovers as their food plant as well, eating rabbit-foot clover (Trifolium arvense), white clover (T. repens), bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), white sweet-clover (Melilotis alba), and Malva neglecta.

Photographs

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Vocabulary Reference Material

Plants, leaf and flower anatomy is essential to properly classify

Sky Island vegetation biomes

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Get in touch

I am usually out hiking, birding or traveling but you can reach me at:

buzardweb@gmail.com