Eggs are laid singly on flowers of host plant. As common and widespread as these butterflies are, they are seldom seen in large numbers. 22) Gray Hairstreak Butterfly. Strymon melinus pudica. Gray Hairstreak "Gray" sounds dull and dingy, but the crisp, clear color of a Gray Hairstreak sparkles. The Butterflies of Massachusetts 33 Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus (Hübner, 1818) . This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Gray Hairstreak is actually a scrub-hairstreak, in a quite different genus from the Callophyrs hairstreaks. Upperside blue-gray with large red spot near tail. Probably because it feeds on so much, as this list shows.. Alfalfa (Medicago) Alkali (Malvaceae) Balloon Vine (Cardiospermum Halicacabum) Beggarweed (Desmodium Genus) Broomweed (Malvaceae) Most species are relatively small, the size of a penny or nickle when the wings are folded, so getting a large, accurate picture might be the most difficult identification task. ABOUT BOM SPECIES LIST BUTTERFLY HISTORY PIONEER LEPIDOPTERISTS METHODS. It was first named by Hübner in Germany from a southern U.S. specimen, but Thaddeus W. Harris at Harvard also … Relatively straight postmedian line is white, bordered with orange on the inside edge. The Gray Hairstreak Butterfly is so widely spread throughout North, Central and South America it is considered a pest. The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly may be found (but is not limited to). The Gray Hairstreak is one of the most “polyphagous” butterflies known, which means that it visits a wide variety of host plants. Life history: Males perch all afternoon on small trees and shrubs to seek receptive females. The crisp clear gray of this butterfly sparkles! This makes it an annoying pest to bean farmers and ornamental flower growers. Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak 49. Butterflies and Moths of Washington Showcase listing of Butterflies and Moths found in the state of Washington. Satyrium saepium chalcis. ... Satyrium sylvinus desertorum. Nut-brown Hairstreak Satyrium auretorum spadix. These small butterflies are common throughout our state. 39 Gossamer-winged Butterflies Family Lycaenidae; ... Common Gray Hairstreak 48. ... Their caterpillars have adapted to eat from more than 30 plant families, although legumes and mallows are most frequently chosen. Note: Please understand that that insects do not adhere to man-drawn borders on a map as such they may be found beyond the general "reach" as showcased on our website. In central California, frequent hosts include ceanothus, mallows, legumes, clover, alfalfa, hollyhocks, and more. Underside of spring/fall form is dark gray, summer form is paler gray. ... Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) Photos. Hairstreak butterflies identification starts out straight forward, with the patterns on the underside of the wings serving as the basic identification clues. Gray Hairstreak Genus-Species: Strymon melinus Host Plants: Flowers and fruits from an almost endless variety of plants; most often from pea (Fabaceae) and mallow (Malvaceae) families including beans (Phaseolus), clovers (Trifolium), cotton (Gossypium), and mallow (Malva). The butterfly can adapt its coloring (to a certain degree) and camouflage itself on … The caterpillar of the Gray Hairstreak feeds on the flowers of legumes and member of the hibiscus plant family. The caterpillars have evolved to eat from more than 30 plant families. 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