Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Statewide and generally common in NC, this handsome hairstreak flies from early spring into late fall. Males have abdomens with orange tips, while female abdomenal tips are gray.


Female Chatham Co., NC 24 Sep 2005	Female Durham Co., NC 4 Sep 2005


Male New Hanover Co., NC 28 August 2004	Female Weymouth Woods State Park Moore Co., NC 11 June 2003

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) nectaring on Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Moore Co., NC
10 June 2006

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Durham Co., NC
24 July 2005

The end of my index finger gives a size reference for how small these butterflies really are!
Blackwood Division of Duke Forest
Orange Co., NC
16 July 2003


Person Co., NC 13 June 2006	Orange Co., NC 16 June 2006


Moore Co., NC 10 June 2006


Sandhills Gamelands Scotland Co., NC 11 June 2003	Weymouth Woods State Park Moore Co., NC 11 June 2003


Durham Co., NC 1 May 2005	Very worn individual! Chatham Co, NC 20 Oct 2006

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... June 28, 2003 | Updated ... June 25, 2006 | jspippen@duke.edu