Posts Tagged: gray hairstreak butterfly

Seeing Eye-to-Eye on a Sedum

If you've ever watched a Gray Hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus) nectaring a sedum, and then watched a honey bee (Apis mellifera) land on the same flower, it's a study in sharing. "I was here first," says the Gray Hairstreak, sipping nectar. "I was...

Honey bee sharing a sedum blossom with a Gray Hairstreak. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee sharing a sedum blossom with a Gray Hairstreak. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A little closer...the honey bee edges toward the Gray Hairstreak. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A little closer...the honey bee edges toward the Gray Hairstreak. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Too close for comfort. The Gray Hairstreak takes off. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Too close for comfort. The Gray Hairstreak takes off. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Gray Hairstreak

"Omigosh, what's that? A gray hairstreak?" If it's in your hair, you consult a mirror, your favorite salon, or just ignore it. If you're an entomologist or a lepidopterist, a gray hairstreak is delightful. "Omigosh, check that out! A gray...

A male gray hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus) nectars on sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The gray hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus) is mostly gray. Fine gray hairlike markings cross the undersurface of the hing wings. The threadlike tail projections resemble antennae. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A gray hairstreak butterfly and the photographer go eye-to-eye. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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