Gray Hairstreak vs Amazon Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gray Hairstreak | Amazon Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Strymon melinus | Polyergus breviceps |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 22-35 mm wingspan | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Throughout the United States, southern Canada, and into Central America | South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gray Hairstreak
One of the most widespread hairstreaks in North America with slate-gray wings and a bright orange spot near its tail. It uses a remarkably wide range of host plants.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars feed on plants from over 20 different families, making it one of the most generalist butterfly larvae in North America.
Amazon Ant
A slave-making ant that raids colonies of Formica ants to steal pupae, which then emerge as workers in the Polyergus colony. The sickle-shaped mandibles of Polyergus workers are adapted for combat but useless for foraging or nest maintenance. They depend entirely on their captive workers for food and brood care.
Did You Know?
Without their enslaved workers, an entire colony would starve because their sickle-shaped jaws make them incapable of feeding themselves.