Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Gray Hairstreak Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Strymon melinus
Description: Although generally some shade of
green, color varies according to host plant hue.
Chrysalis: Dark brown.
Host Plants: Flowers and fruits from an almost
endless variety of plants; most often from pea (Fabaceae) and mallow (Malvaceae) families
including beans (Phaseolus), clovers (Trifolium), cotton (Gossypium), and mallow (Malva).
Habitat: Found in a large variety of open habitats,
including open weedy fields.
Comments: The Gray Hairstreak is one of the most
widespread butterflies in the continental United States, but is uncommon in Wisconsin.