Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
The Great Purple Hairstreak belongs to the species of the gossamer-winged butterfly indigenous to several parts of the United States. Besides the purple shade that is evident through its name, this butterfly also comes in the pattern of blue and is therefore also called the Great Blue Hairstreak. It has several recognized subspecies.
Description and Identification
They have a green body covered with light, fine and short orange or yellow hairs, with a white diamond spot behind their head.
The pupa of the Great Purple Hairstreak is dark brown spotted in black.
Sexual Dimorphism: Present
Color and Appearance: The dusky purple on its underside and iridescent blue bordered with black on the upper side of its wings are the two main color patterns seen in this butterfly. When the wings are open they display a vibrant blue hue teamed with a velvety black border, alongside markings of gold and bright red. When the wings are closed the undersides possess a dusky purple shade. The males look more colorful when in flight than the females.
Average wingspan: 32-51mm (1 ¼ -2 in)
Flight pattern: Active, a total of three flights are made in between March and December.
They look like small green discs.
|Distribution||The whole of United States, encompassing the warm temperate and sub-tropical region of Northern America, and all through the South up to the Panama Canal|
|Habitat||Mesquite forests, oak woods, walnut plantations especially in suburban or agricultural areas, and also mixed woods filled with mistle toe plantations|
|Lifespan of Adults||4-10 days|
|Host plant||American Mistletoe|
|Adult diet||Nectar from various flowers like shepherd’s needle, Hercules club, wild plum, golden rod, and sweet pepper brush|
Did You Know
During the United States’ Declaration of Independence, the Colony of Virginia sent these species to Europe.