The Gray Hairstreak, also called
the common hairstreak, is the most widely distributed of the
hairstreaks. It is absent only from the far north. The caterpillar
is commonly known as the "cotton square borer" and is known to
damage bean, hops, and cotton crops.
Similar species:
Avalon Hairstreak.
Life Cycle:
Eggs are pale green. Larvae are grass-green with white
diagonal stripes on the sides. 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. Chrysalis is brown with black mottling.
Flight time: variable, broods more numerous southward. 2
broods in north, 3 or more in south. April-October.
Habitat:
Deciduous woods, roadsides, open meadows, fields and disturbed
areas, parks and vacant lots. In short, just about any open area.
Range: British Columbia to the Maritime Provinces, south the
Baja Claifornia, Florida, Venezuela and Columbia in South America.
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