I found this caterpillar, and this is what happened.  It was unknown (to me) so I decided to try to rear it. Found some in books like it, and they were Hairstreaks, so I figured it was probably some kind of Hairstreak, but I’d never seen any of the possible ones in my yard. It was on a Giant Hibiscus flower – a pink one – and was eating only the developing seeds. Then I put it on a red flower, and it seemed fine.
Found the caterpillar on 7/27/2012
8/1/2012Â Â The cat stopped eating and turned brown.
8/3/2012Â Â The pupa, with the final shed skin next to it.
8/12/2012Â The pupa, the night before it eclosed (emerged).
8/13/2012 The beautiful Gray Hairstreak!  The first one I’ve seen in my yard in 27 years!
Betsy Higgins
Florence, Massachusetts
edited by Marcie O’Connor