Different species want different plants, ones that will be a suitable food source for their caterpillars after they hatch. Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, Horace's Duskywing Quercus shumardii (shumard oak) - Banded Hairstreak, Horace's Duskywing Butterflies lay their eggs on plants. Lead Plant is a native perennial that flowers from May to August. Host plants are herbs, trees and shrubs from multiple families, including Leguminosae. For example, the female Monarch Butterfly sips nectar from many kinds of flowering plants, but will only lay her eggs on milkweed plants, while the Eastern Tiger . . Deer resistant. Upper surfaces are gray males and blue-gray in females with an orange-capped black spot above the tail. As we said, gray hairstreaks are not particularly picky when it comes to host plants. These plants are called host plants. Gray Hairstreak Caterpillar Genus-Species: Strymon melinus Description: Although generally some shade of green, color varies according to host plant hue. Life Cycle: Eggs are pale green. NATIVE WILLAMETTE VALLEY HOST PLANTS: Common Willamette Valley butterfly species or groups that use plant as host: Common Name: Latin Name: Documented: Suspected: nettles, stinging . Skippers (Hesperoidea, Hesperidae) Blazing Star Skipper. The nectar in the flowers attracts adults of the white M hairstreak, Parrhasius m-album (Boisduval & LeConte). . Copy url to Clipboard. Key ID features: Dark gray above (darker when very fresh). The Gray Hairstreak is territorial and a hilltopper in suitable terrain, but does very well in towns and cities in the Central Valley. . Order by Scientific Name. Its most frequent hosts in our area are mallows, including the weedy species of . Acer rubrum (Red Maple) - Cecropia Moth Actaea racemosa . (oaks) White-M Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak: Rhus spp. Zebra swallowtail. (Baptisia tinctoria) which is the host plant of the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus). Lead Plant is a Host Plant for the Dogface sulfur and Gray Hairstreak. . Coral Hairstreak: Pinus spp. Posted on July 25, . On a sun-soaked balcony (a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day), Brown recommends using nodding onion (Allium cernuum), host to the hairstreak butterfly caterpillar; the black-eyed . Its vivid purplish-blue flowers are primarily pollinated by Bumble Bees, but they are visited by other insects as well. This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Attracts pollinators including bees, butterflies, wasps. (pines) Eastern Pine Elfin: Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine) Gray Hairstreak: Populus deltoides (cottonwood) Viceroy: Prunus spp. Nov 19, 2014. . Range elevation: 0 to 2745 m. Unlike many butterfly larva, gray hairstreak caterpillars will eat anything, dining on assorted host plants including those belonging to the legume, rose, and mallow families, among others. The Edwards' Hairstreak always has this row of separated spots, and each spot is surrounded by a white ring. Size: Wingspan ranges from .88" - 1.38" Habitat: Open deciduous woods, fields, meadows: Occurrence Level: Common: Flight Period: Late April to early October Host plant for Banded Hairstreak, Edward's Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, White-M Hairstreak, Horace's Duskywing, Juvenal's Duskywing butterflies and many moths.Acorns are eaten by woodpeckers, blue jays, small mammals, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and black bears. It is found from central Florida west to Texas and north to southern areas of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York (eFloras.org 2017, Plants Database 2019, Spooner 1983). Gray Hairstreak. (sumacs) Spring . The caterpillars or larvae feed on the fruits and flowers of the host plant. Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Native Plant Habit/Form: Erect Spreading Growth Rate: Medium . Its larvae feed on the fruits and flowers of a variety of host plants including several species mallows, members of the pea family, buckwheats, clovers, and many other plants. Unlike most butterflies, gray hairstreaks do not prefer one specific habitat. Habitat. females lay eggs on host flowers, hibernates as chrysalis. Host plants for Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak) native to California ( 12 confirmed , 574 likely * ) Options. HERB HOST PLANT TO: HERB HOST PLANT TO: Anise Black Swallowtail Marjoram Sootywings Basil Good Nectar source Mallow Painted Lady, Hairstreak, Skippers . Plant the native species and plant several if the plants are small. pea, and a diverse variety of other plants. This makes fresh, light gray Acadian Hairstreaks often easy to spot. The Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), is one of the most common hairstreaks in North America, . It is one of the most common hairstreaks in North America, ranging over nearly the entire continent. Here's a short list of host plants and the larvae they are hosting. . Acadian Hairstreak Satyrium acadica. Hummingbirds and butterflies nectar from the blooms. Related Articles. Michigan Butterflies Larval Host Plants list provided by Native Plant Nursery LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan page 2 American Painted Lady Painted Lady Red Admiral Nettles . Its larvae feed on the fruits and flowers of a variety of host plants including several species. Gray hairstreaks do not prefer one specific habitat. Adults feed on nectar from . As the gray hairstreak caterpillar enters its growing stage, it converts into a pupa. The Gray hairstreak ( Strymon melinus) is one of the most common lycaenids in North America. Flat gray but exquisitely marked, the gray hairstreak is easily overlooked, but worth seeking out. They are widespread in tropical forests and open, temperate woodland areas. As the gray hairstreak caterpillar enters its growing stage, it converts into a pupa. Populations of Miami blue butterflies occurred in Bahia Honda State Park, the only easy-to . Size: 1.0 - 1.25 inches wingspan. Adults feed on nectar from . And their unusual biology makes them by far the easiest of the hairstreaks to find. Grows 2-4 ft tall with a 2-3 ft spread. Host Plant: Butterfly Species: Pawpaw: Zebra Swallowtail: Sassafras: Palamedes (Laurel) Swallowtail & Spicebush Swallowtail: Red Bay: Palamedes (Laurel) Swallowtail . Added. Bee Balm Good Nectar source Mints Gray Hairstreak Borage and Burdock Painted Lady Mustards Orange Tips, Marblewings Caraway Black Swallowtail Nasturtium Cabbage White, Spring Azure Parsley . The Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association is located in southeast Florida and named after one of our rarest butterflies. Blooms throughout summer. It is a member of the Lycaenidae family, known as the gossamer-winged butterflies and the second-largest family of butterflies. Host plants for caterpillars . Order by Popularity. There are multiple flights each year from spring to fall (Scott 1986). Some butterflies use only one kind of plant as a host whereas others use Home > Butterfly Gardening & Milkweed > Larval Host Plants (by butterfly species) Larval Host Plants (by butterfly species) Jennie Lyons-Cleaver. Attracts: American Painter Lady, Gray Hairstreak . These berries are a valuable food source for birds. grasses. They can also be found in meadows, crop fields, neglected roadsides, and residential parks and yards are often homes of this fascinating butterfly. Most common in weedy and disturbed habitats at low elevation, but capable of turning up at any of our sites (least likely: Castle Peak). Juvenal's Duskywing Erynnis juvenalis Running Oak Quercus pumila Y Y Y 1,13 Jan-May Quercus alba 09 Jun 2020, 1:45PM. pawpaw ( Asimina triloba) Black swallowtail. 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 . Strymon melinus humuli Gray Hairstreak Fabaceae, Lupinus perennis,Malvaceae sp. The Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) is easy to spot, even among lots . Two sets of tails, one short and one long, with two . Females lay their single eggs on the flowers of their chosen host plant. Host to . On This Page. Lycaenidae (blues, coppers, hairstreaks, harvesters) Description : Adult gray hairstreaks are pale gray below; the large orange spot by the tail is square and bordered with a black line on the basal side. Host plants are blooms and fruit of mallow, pea, cotton, clover, beans, and other plants. Since gray hairstreaks are very widespread, they do not have a strong preference for host and nectar plants like many other lepidoptera species do, and they even do well in disturbed habitat like urban areas as long as it offers food, shelter, and sun. Individuals overwinter as pupae. Chrysalis: Dark brown. Gray hairstreaks or Strymon . 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 . "Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus (Huber, 1818)." Butterflies and Moths of North America, Metalmark Web and Data, . 2 BCBC.FNPS Host Plants 2018 Butterfly/Common Butterfly/ Scientific Plants/Common Plants/Scientific Growing Notes Nectar BD MDC MK PBC Refs Broods Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus Sand Ticktrefoil Desmodium lineatum Y 8 Gray Ministreak Ministrymon azia Wild Tamarind Lysiloma latisiliquum Nectar Y Y Y 2 uncomm. HOST PLANT SPECIES (Common Name) HOST PLANT SPECIES (Scientific Name) ATTRACTED BUTTERFLY SPECIES: Leadplant: Amorpha canescens: Dogface Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak: Big Bluestem: Andropogon gerardii: Cobweb Skipper, Common Wood Nymph, Delaware Skipper, Dusted Skipper: Dill: Anethum graveolens: Anise Swallowtail, Eastern Black Swallowtail: 8618 This list is by . This chrysalis then transforms into the beautiful gray hairstreak adult butterfly around the 10th day of its life. Botanical Name Common Name Type of Plant Larval Host for these Butterflies and Moths: Actaea racemosa Black Cohosh Perennial (N) Appalachian Azure Alcea rosea Hollyhock Biennial Painted Lady; Gray Hairstreak; Common Checkered-Skipper Amaranthus Amaranth Annual Common Sootywing Amelanchier Serviceberry Tree Red-spotted Purple Amorpha canescens Lead Plant Perennial (N) Gray Hairstreak Chrysalis . Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal . Breeding season: early spring. Strymon melinus. Eggs are laid on host inflorescences singly. It is found from central Florida west to Texas and north to southern areas of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York (eFloras.org 2017, Plants Database 2019, Spooner 1983). Dimensions: Height: 2 ft. 0 in. Gray hairstreak: flowers and seeds of - tick-trefoils, bush-clovers, clovers . Annual and perennial plants predominately provide nectar, but many serve as larval host plants as well. Their wings are about 1 to 1 1/4 inches from tip to tip. Look for them. The Gray Hairstreak is territorial and a hilltopper in suitable terrain, but does very well in towns and cities in the Central Valley. Hi Louise, Your butterfly is a Gray Hairstreak, Strymon melinus. Caterpillars range in color from gray to pink. It is absent only from the far north. Host plants are specific plants that feed the larval stage of the lovely butterfly. The caterpillars are known to frequent over 50 different host plants; among them are corn (Zea mays), oak (Quercus), cotton (Gossypium), strawberry (Fragaria), mint, legumes and mallows. Our chapter is working hard to meet the challenges of the 21st century as they apply to butterfly interests. The Gray Hairstreak, also called the common hairstreak, is the most widely distributed of the hairstreaks. I was tapping around the bushes and investigating flowers when I scared it up near some blackberry blossoms where it may have been nectaring. Common hosts in the wild in New York were reported to be rabbit-foot clover (Trifolium arvense), white clover (T. repens), bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), white Host plants include clover, mallow. pipevines ( Aristolochia spp.) The first flight of the hairstreak appears in February. It is a member of the carrot family and is hardy through zone 4. They are widespread in tropical forests and open, temperate woodland areas. It is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). Flowers are followed by rounded fruits that ripen to a deep red in the fall. Order by Popularity. - 3 ft. 0 in. Some believe that they exacerbate loneliness, while others believe that they offer comfort and protection. The Grey Hairstreak has an ash-grey undersurface with a prominent white-bordered, black median line, and two orange patches in the outer angle of the hindwing. Used in containers and beds. California lilac is host to brown elfin, California hairstreak, and spring azure butterflies. Host plants are the vital food source that caterpillars live on. The third lycaenid species I saw today was an adult Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). Order By Common Name. New Jersey tea also hosts spring azures as well as summer azure butterflies, which also frequent the flowers for nectar. I was looking at the FAQ list of host plants for S. melinus, and I have a few to add to it. Field Marks: small; gray wings; dorsal and ventral hindwing with red-capped black spot. Butterfly guru Art Shapiro, UC Davis distinguished professor of evolution and ecology, says this about the gray hairstreak on his website, Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site: "This is one of the most polyphagous butterflies known, recorded on host plants in many families. Look for California hairstreak, red-banded hairstreak, and gray hairstreak nectaring on California lilac. Adult butterflies live on nectar from many different flowers, wild and cultivated. (Figure 8), is the only host for the great purple hairstreak in the southeastern United States. . Male abdomen is orange; female abdomen is blue-gray. It can grow to be between 1 and 3 feet high, with roots as much as 4 feet deep. Gray Hairstreak. No single host plant will work for all butterflies. I have had females lay eggs on the following, and the caterpillars were raised successfully: White Clover (presumably Trifolium repens; our lawn is full of it) Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) (I think I raised ca. This chrysalis then transforms into the beautiful gray hairstreak adult butterfly around the 10th day of its life. It is multiple-brooded and has a very long flight season, at sea level from February to November, but rarely seen before . Cow Vetch from Wikimedia Commons As a whole we can say that host plants are one of the most important parts that helps to maintain an eco diversity and helps to grow another living . Milkweed (Asclepias)* $$. Female butterflies can travel for miles in search of host plants to lay their eggs upon. The caterpillars or larvae feed on the fruits and flowers of the host plant. - 3 ft. 0 in. . Most common in weedy and disturbed habitats at low elevation, but capable of turning up at any of our sites (least likely: Castle Peak). 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