Gray Hairstreak vs Numata Longwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gray Hairstreak | Numata Longwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Strymon melinus | Heliconius numata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 22-35 mm wingspan | 60-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Forests |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout the United States, southern Canada, and into Central America | South America (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia) |
| 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.
Numata Longwing
A remarkable butterfly that exists in over a dozen wing pattern forms, each mimicking a different species of toxic Melinaea butterfly. Despite their different appearances, all forms belong to the same species. Wing pattern variation is controlled by a supergene on a single chromosome.
Did You Know?
Its wing pattern diversity is controlled by a chromosomal inversion that acts as a supergene, one of the best-studied examples of this genetic mechanism.