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Gray Hairstreak

Strymon melinus

Published on Project Noah
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33.0659, -117.068

Field Notes

Description:

Pink caterpillar with pink dots on back and light pink lining on sides. It has a light pink diamond shape on the top of its head. The sections of the caterpillar resemble the bumpy sections of the Water Smartweed that it was on. Butterfly can be seen at http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7080744

Habitat:

On a white and pink Water Smartweed plant located in a marshy area with partial shade. It was eating one of the white flowers.

Reference Links:

Species Strymon melinus - Gray Hairstreak - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you both! I'm satisfied with Celastrina echo... and not eating the tempting little morsel :)
NicoleLook
Yes good find.. I think you are right... Celastrina ladon echo. It really is so cute.
hayde
And yes, it looks like a Celastrina ladon echo... It even camouflages itself between white blossoms.
hayde
Yeah! I'm quite surprised you did not eat it when you saw it ;)
CindyBinghamKeiser
hayde, it was just too cute not to post! I think of a berry with the hair and little dots. Maybe a berry jelly candy? :)
CindyBinghamKeiser
NicoleLook, it sure does. After looking up your suggestion, it resembles the Celastrina ladon echo quite a lot but I haven't found a pic with the markings on the head yet.
hayde
Looks like a little hairy jelly :D
NicoleLook
Whoa. What a wild looking little guy, could be a Lycaenid butterfly caterpillar...

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Southern California Wildlife
Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits
Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World

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Photographed
PublishedAugust 24, 2011

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