Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus
Immatures

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Ovum - 2 October 2010
ovum



Second Instar - 8 October 2010 - emerged  5 October 
2nd


Third Instar  - 11 October 2010
2nd


Larva - 2006
Larva #1 -  4th instar - a rose/pink color
4th instar


Larva - 2006
Larva #1 -  4th instar - a rose/pink color
strymon 4th instar


Larva #2 - a younger larva -  pale green color - 2006
4th instar


4th instar


Larva #3 - 4th instar with the previous color changing to include a yellow/brown tinge- 2006
larva


Larva #3 - 4th instar with the previous color changing to include a yellow/brown tinge. - 2006
larva


Pupa
New Pupa - 2006
newly formed pupa


New Pupa - 2006
newly formed pupa


A couple of hours prior to eclosure - 5 October 2006

dorsal


A couple of hours prior to eclosure - 5 October 2006
lateral



Photo Details - ©Nicky Davis
Larvae collected  North of the Gun Cub on Wasatch Blvd., Salt Lake County, Utah , September 16, 2006
Ovum
2 Oct 2010, ovum located on  Eriogonum racemosum


Larva
The coloring of the Strymon melinus is variable. They all have a double-dashed dorsal stripe.
These are photos of three different larvae at different stages of growth.

 Larva #1 - A rose/pink color
1. lateral - September 17, 2006
2.  dorsal - September 17, 2006

Larva #2 - A younger larva - pale green color .  The double-dashed dorsal stripe is still visible.
1., 2. Two views of larva - September 17, 2006

Larva #3 -  This mature larva has a yellow/brown color tinge.  the double-dashed dorsal stripe is still visible.
1., 2. Two views of larva -
September 17, 2006

Pupa
1., 2. Pupa just before eclosure on October 5, 2006
3.,4. New pupa



Host Plant
A great variety of plants can be used by this species as the larval host plant.  They usually eat the flowers and fruit of plants in the pea  and mallow family.  For photos of the host plant for these larvae, click on

Redroot Buckwheat - Eriogonum racemosum


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