Gray hairstreak

The gray hairstreak is a small, dapper butterfly, slate gray below with a fine white line, a dab of orange, and delicate tails that it rubs together to mimic a false head.

One of the most widespread hairstreaks, it turns up in fields, gardens, and vacant lots across the continent and flies in several broods.

Its caterpillars eat the flowers and fruits of an enormous range of plants, especially legumes and mallows, making it one of the least fussy of butterflies.