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| Gray Hairstreak |
Latin
Name: Strymon melinus |
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Genus: Strymon Species: melinus |
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Comments: |
| Widespread and abundant, the Gray Hairstreak is one of the most commonly encountered hairstreaks in Florida. It is extremely fond of flowers and a frequent garden visitor. The small hairlike tails on the hindwing resemble antennae and help deflect the attack of would-be predators away from the insect's vulnerable body. This charade, employed by many members of the family, is enhanced by the bright orange eyespots and converging lines on the wings below that draw attention to the unique feature. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
ight green, laid singly on flower buds or flowers of host |
Larva: |
highly variable; bright green with lateral cream stripes to pinkish red |
Host Plants: |
wide variety of plants including Partridge Pea, beggarweeds, milk peas, White Clover and Sida |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
wide variety of plants including Partridge Pea, beggarweeds, milk peas, White Clover and Sida |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
open, disturbed sites including roadsides, fallow agricultural land, old fields and gardens |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
1 - 1.5 |
Centimeters: |
2.5 - 3.8 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar; female larger with broader wings |
Compare: |
White M Hairstreak has orange ventral hindwing spot without black pupil and distinct zigzag white line. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- slate gray with distinct reddish orange-capped black hindwing spot above tail
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Below:
- light gray with black-and-white line across both wings (often with some orange); hindwing has reddish orange-capped black spot and blue scaling above tail
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
