Gray Hairstreak

Absent only from the far North, the Gray Hairstreak is one of the most generally distributed butterflies. The caterpillar is known regionally as the "cotton square borer," and has upon occasion damaged commercial bean, hops, and cotton crops. Gray Hairstreaks now occur in all the California islands, having colonized Catalina Island, stronghold of the Avalon Hairstreak, in 1978. By 1979 both species from Catalina showed atypical variation, implying possible hybridization between them. Until now, the Gray Hairstreak has appeared to exclude the Avalon Hairstreak from the other California islands; therefore, scientists and conservationists are watching the Gray Hairstreak's influx to Catalina with apprehension.
description 1-1 1/4" (25-32 mm). Above, deep slate-gray with orange spot on HW; female browner. Below, dove-gray; straight, thin FW and HW red and black midband lined with white; bold orange and blue patches above tail, black spot at HW outer angle (tornus). Abdomen has orange sides.