Grey Hairstreak Caterpillar burrows into the softness of a Buckwheat flower to feed.
California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is very drought tolerant. The flower buds start out pinkish and turn white and when dry, turn beautiful shades of copper.
It’s a “butterfly host plant” to many butterflies including Coppers, Blues and Hairstreak.
Hairstreaks caterpillars do not feed on milkweed. There is a moth that feeds on milkweed, it’s called a Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle). You will also find milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus) on milkweed. I have also found a small caterpillar, pointed at both ends and somewhat resembling a hairstreak caterpillar, I’m pretty sure it’s a moth also, but not positive. Please let know what you find out!
does the grey hairstreak feed upon milkweed? because there was a curious egg case like thing on my milkweed but it seemed too large to be a monarch egg case but too small to be a monarch pupal case.
Great post!
Beautiful and intriguing.