Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)

Gossamer -Winged Butterflies Family (Lycaenidae)
Great purple hairstreak is a black and iridescent blue butterfly, reaching a 2 in wingspan. Despite its common name, it has no purple on it. Its upper wings are iridescent blue with black to brownish black borders. The underside is blackish brown with iridescent gold, white, and sometimes blue markings near the tails and orangish red spots near the abdomen (one on the forewing and two on the hindwing). Its hindwings have one short and one long tail. Its upper body is black with white spots. Its abdomen is blue on top and red-orange underneath. The adults are present from March until November usually with three generations per year, though they can fly year round in Florida and south Texas. The caterpillars are green with a dense covering of short, fine, light orange hairs. Its caterpillars feed only on mistletoe leaves and male flowers. They pupate in crevices at base of the host tree or under loose bark. The adults feed on many nectar plants, including goldenrod, Hercules club, shepherd's needle, sweet pepperbush, Joe-pye-weed, and wild plum. Perching adults move their hindwings up and down. Found in United States from central California to Maryland and southward, in oak woods, mesquite forests, walnut groves, bottomlands, swamps, and mixed woods infested with mistletoe. Also known as great blue hairstreak.

Listed as Threatened in MD and Species of Special Concern in DE and IA.


Copyright Brett Miley