It's a gray hairstreak - what a pretty picture!

Sherry

Thank you misssherry, You are truely a marvel, between the Butterflies, hummingbirds, plants and raising all of those cats, we are so lucky to have you here to answer all of our questions and give advice. I did find a good sight for pictures of Texas Butterflies, and found it, the most common butterfly, still it was fun spending the afternoon with him/her. I am in need of at least one good Butterfly book, as a beginner something not to complex. I added this book to my Amazon list,
Butterflies of Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Texas Paperback
by John M Dole (Author), Walter B Gerard (Author), John M Nelson (Author), but I also would like any recommendations from the experienced butterfly marvels that you all are! I am so old school, and I love a good book to thumb through. But I also love having this Garden Web to pick everyones brain. Thank you, Debra

Debra, there are any number of very good butterfly books out there. My favorite field guide is Butterflies of North America by Brock and Kaufman. The pictures are enhanced photographs, as I understand it, and they show all the features of the butterflies that you need, with little arrows pointing out keys to IDing them.

I like the Life Cycles of Butterflies by Burris and Richards for pictures of butterfly eggs and caterpillars.

I'd think one of the best, if not THE best books for you would be Butterfly Gardening for the South by Geyata Ajilvsgi. The book really should be named "Butterfly Gardening for Texas and Oklahoma" because the butterflies of those two states are the butterflies covered, also, the host plants they use in TX and OK, and nectar plants for the two states. The author has written books about Texas plants, and she resided in Bartlesville, OK, when the book was published in 1990. It's a big book and well worth the money, if it's expensive, I can't remember what it costs, because mine is old.

Thanks for the kind words!

Sherry

misssherry, thank you for the suggestions. I did find the book by Geyata Ajilvsgi on Amazon. New it was $60.00, but I love Amazons used books, and found it for about 12.00 that included shipping. I always have good luck with the used books and sometimes it is fun to find one that has someones notes written in it. Thanks again. Debra

I really wish they'd put out a new release of that book by Ajilvsgi! I had to pony up enough dough to buy an unused copy as a gift for my DD in Houston a few years ago. I love those hairstreaks! I've seen some this spring, but never seemed to have a camera handy!

I received the two books from Amazon this week. Wonderful book that you recommended misssherry. What a bargain, it has everything in it and yes, it is mainly about Texas and Oklahoma if anyone in this area is looking for a great beginner book on butterflies.
linda_tx8, yes an updated version would be great with a more up to date native plant list I think, but since we have so much info available on the internet, I think I can make do. There are several great sights for plants for the the high plains, it helps me alot.. I do just love to have a book to thumb through at times. Thank you for the recommendations.

Debra V and MissSherry, Geyata Ajilvsgi published "Butterfly Gardening for Texas" just last year year. At over 400 pages its an encyclopedia of information and I'm still making my way through it. But whether its butterflies, host plants, or nectar plants, or garden plans, she lets you know which of 7 different regions in Texas they are best found or grown in.

But my favorite basics book is still "The Life Cycles of Butterflies" by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards. From egg, through various instars of Cats, to both male and female BFs, plus host and nectar plants, the pictures are great! And almost most all of the ones covered are found throughout Texas.

Both are available on Amazon.

Thank you BrianZ8aCPTX , Grateful for the information, I have added both to my Amazon wish list. What would we do without Amazon for books? What are you seeing down your way as far as new butterflies? I am expecting them in June up here, I really wasn't paying attention last summer until I found Black Swallowtail cats on my dill in late June. I am ready for a Monarch just in case I get lucky. I would hate for my milkweed to go to waste. Debra

While there are not many butterflies out yet here the hairstreak is a common visitor to my gardens. Unfortunately I lost access to my picture hard drive so here is the only one I could find.

{{gwi:463339}}

here is to a great butterfly season!!

SCG

SCG, sorry for your loss of pictures, I know that can be heartbreaking. Thank for sharing your picture. I hope to see alot of these this summer.
Yes, here is to a great butterfly season!
I saw a large black and orange butterfly, upper and lover side, fly over the fence and over my head about 10' above me, early this evening. Caught by surprise, I was hoping it might try another fly by, but I did not see it again. But is was exciting for the moment!!! I must put a sign on my roof advertising that I do have milkweed to offer. LOL