Gardens with Wings

What Butterflies Can I Attract to My Garden?

Gray Hairstreak Butterfly (Strymon melinus)

grey wing butterfly with blue body and two orange dots
Male Gray Hairstreak
Copyright: Fred Miller

This lovely little gray butterfly is a delight to enjoy in gardens across the United States. It is one of the most widely dispersed butterflies in North America. It has bright red eyespots near the tips of its wings next to the small tails that are used to deter possible predators.

Gray Hairstreaks have a large variety of host and nectar plants that are commonly found in disturbed environments where humans are active. This is a wonderful visitor to observe among your landscape plantings.

light gray butterfly with black spots and red circle
Bright Red Eyespots on Wings
Copyright: Fred Miller
small grey, orange butterfly
Underside Wing
Copyright: Fred Miller
tiny gray butterfly with orange markings
Tiny Gray Butterfly with Orange and Black Markings
Copyright: Diane P. Brooks

Gray Hairstreak Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants for the Gray Hairstreak: (What is this?)
Cow Vetch, Crown Vetch, Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Mallow, Passion Flowers, White Clover
Nectar Plants for the Gray Hairstreak: (What is this?)
Butterfly Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Dogbane, Goldenrod, Queen Anne's Lace, Swamp Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, and more
Where to Buy Plants

Gray Hairstreak Facts And Information

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-wings (Lycaenidae)
Butterfly Subfamily: Hairstreak (Theclinae)
Butterfly Wingspan: 7/8 in. to 1 3/8 in.
Butterfly Habitat: Open areas, fields, meadows

Gray Hairstreak Flight Range Map

Note: Map represents approximate butterfly flight range.