Gray Hairstreak

  • Family name: Lycaenidae/Gossamer Wings
  • General description: dark gray; hindwing with two short tails and red-capped black spot. Ventral hindwing light gray with relatively smooth black and white postmedian line (often including orange) and red-capped black spot near tails.
  • Field Marks: small; gray wings; dorsal and ventral hindwing with red-capped black spot
  • Sexes: similar
  • Wingspan: 25-32 mm
  • Life Cycle: Egg: green, flattened, laid singly on host flowers or flower buds Mature larva: variable; green to pink Chrysalis: light brown with darker brown markings
    Gray Hairstreak ventral
  • Number of Generations: multiple
  • Flight Season: February-November
  • Abundance: Common
  • Habitat: old fields, disturbed sites, roadsides, gardens, parks
  • Larval Host Plants: Partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata), bush clover (Lespedeza spp.) clover (Trifolium spp.), sweet white clover (Mel), beggarweeds (Desmodium spp.)
  • Similar Species: White M Hairstreak
  • Additional Information: Adults regularly perch or bask with wings partially open
  • Range in Florida

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