Texas Butterfly 
Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
This is the most common hairstreak in Texas. You will see it everywhere: fields, flower gardens, in your backyard, and in the countryside. Still, it’s one of my favorites. At this point it is like an old friend.
Its coloring can range from bright white to gray on the underside. It rarely sits with its wings open, so glimpses of the dark gray upperside happen infrequently.
There are other hairstreaks that are similar, but if you are unsure, you’re probably looking at one of these.
Queen
Danaus gilippus
Often mistaken for the Monarch, the Queen butterfly often outnumbers its orange relative. Absent only from East Texas, it can be found in large numbers throughout the rest of the state.
I probably have more pictures of this butterfly than any other thanks to the Greg’s Blue Mist flower planted in my backyard in San Angelo. They absolutely love that plant.
The Queen is a less common visitor to Houston, but is occasionally seen here.
The butterfly feeds on several plants, but as noted above, it is especially fond of different forms of Blue Mist. The caterpillars feed on milkweed.
Similar species: Monarch, Soldier
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
When many people think of butterflies, they think Monarchs. Monarchs can be found throughout the United States and across Texas. In fact, the Monarch is the official state insect of Texas!
Parts of Texas are on the Monarchs’ migration path including, San Angelo, Texas where I used to live. Every year, usually in October, the numbers of Monarchs begin to increase. For a brief time (three days to a couple of weeks depending on the weather) you can see thousands gathered in various spots around the city.
The best spots in San Angelo to see large groups of Monarchs during the migration include the San Angelo State Park and behind the International Lily Gardens at Civic League Park. To really see them well you need to hike back towards the river. There’s a backflow channel back there where the trees will fill with butterflies during the migration.
I have not found anywhere in the Houston area where large amounts of Monarchs congregate. You do see Monarchs almost all year long.
Monarch butterflies feed on a variety of plants. Monarch caterpillars feed on milkweed. Adding this plant to your yard almost guarantees Monarchs will visit.
Similar species: Queen, Soldier, Viceroy
Southern Dogface
Zerene cesonia
These yellow butterflies can be seen across Texas almost all year long.
The name comes from the dog’s face that can be seen on the upperside of the wing or through the underside if the light hits just right. The spot forms the eye of the dog with the face in profile.
The Southern Dogface is easy to distinguish from the other Yellow butterflies in Texas thanks to these clear markings and the pointed forewing which sets it apart from the Clouded Sulphur.
