The Gray Hairstreak is one of the most widespread butterflies in North America, found in a variety of open habitats. It is light gray with thin black and white lines crossing both wings. The hindwings feature a black spot capped with orange and a touch of blue scaling just above the tails. The upperside is gray in males and blue-gray in females, both showing the distinctive orange-capped black spot near the tail. The top of the head and the tips of the antennae are also orange. Males have an orange abdomen, while females have a blue-gray one. Females are generally larger than males.

 

“Gray Hairstreak” by Renee Grayson, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Gray Hairstreak Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Theclinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 7/8 – 1 3/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Open, non-forested sites; common in disturbed and weedy areas

 

🪴Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

• Tick Trefoil (Desmodium spp.)

• Wild Indigo (Baptisia spp.)

• Various native legumes (Fabaceae family)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Gray Hairstreak butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)