Gray Hairstreak, Common Hairstreak - Strymon melinus
Gray Hairstreaks (Strymon melinus) are common throughout North America. In our Southern California gardens we can see up to 3 broods in a season. Larval foods include Oaks, Mints, Mallows, and plants in the pea family. Adults are happy with nectar from almost any blooming plants. Gray Hairstreaks can be a pest with corn and cotton crops. This Gray Hairstreak is feeding on Eriogonum fasciculatum. Gray Hairstreaks are 1.25", males and females are similar. We have an extensive list of plants that will attract these and other beauties to your butterfly garden.
Gray Hairstreak or Common Hairstreak sipping nectar from California Buckwheat. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
High resolution photos of the Gray Hairstreak are part of our garden image collection.
Plants to attract the Gray Hairstreak, or Common Hairstreak to your garden:
Asclepias californica
Asclepias cordifolia
Asclepias curassavica Silky Gold
Asclepias eriocarpa
Asclepias erosa
Asclepias fascicularis
Asclepias linaria
Asclepias speciosa
Asclepias tuberosa
Aster chilense
Asteriscus maritimus
Asteriscus sericeus
Baileya multiradiata
Bidens Bedance Painted Red
Calendula Zeolights
Centaurea cyanus
Centaurea gymnocarpa
Centaurea montana
Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Cirsium occidentale
Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit
Echinacea purpurea
Echinacea Sunset
Ericameria nauseosa
Erigeron argentatus
Erigeron Bountiful
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron Sea Breeze
Erigeron speciosus
Erigeron Wayne Roderick
Eriogonum arborescens
Eriogonum cinereum
Eriogonum crocatum
Eriogonum fasciculatum
Eriogonum giganteum
Eriogonum grande rubescens
Eriogonum incanum
Eriogonum umbellatum
Eryngium yuccifolium
Lavandula dentata
Lavandula dentata candicans
Lavandula Fred Boutin
Lavandula Goodwin Creek
Lavandula Grosso
Lavandula heterophylla
Lavandula multifida
Lavandula pinnata buchii
Lavandula Provence
Lavandula stoechas Atlas
Lavandula stoechas Coco Blue White
Lavandula stoechas Madrid Purple
Lavandula stoechas Silver Anouk
Leucanthemum superbum * Shasta Daisy
Osteospermum fruticosum
Osteospermum Spider White
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Santolina Lemon Queen
Santolina virens
Scabiosa Black Knight
Scabiosa Butterfly Blue
Scabiosa caucasica Fama Blue
Scabiosa caucasica Perfecta Blue
Scabiosa columbaria
Scabiosa cretica
Scabiosa farinosa
Scabiosa ochraleuca
Scabiosa Pink Mist
Stokesia Blue Danube
Stokesia Peachies Pick
Stokesia Purple Parasols
Symphotrichum chilense
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena liacina De La Mina
Verbena rigida