Gray hairstreak

Description:

This butterfly was feeding on Monarda citriodora, along with many potter wasps, and sweat bees. The gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) is one of the most common hairstreaks in North America, ranging over nearly the entire continent. It occurs also throughout Central America and in northern South America. Gray hairstreaks, are most common in spring and summer, in Texas. This one here is a male, because males have orange on their abdomens, and females don't. These hairstreaks, were once called common hairstraks, because they are the most common and widespread hairstreak in North America.

Habitat:

In my garden, on wildflowers in Fort Worth, Texas.

Notes:

Males of this species have more orange generally on their bodies than females.