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Project Noah Nature School
Atlides halesus
The Great Purple Hairstreak is a common gossamer-winged butterfly species in parts of the United States. The common names refer to the butterfly's two main colors – dusky purple on the underside, and iridescent blue above. Particularly the males are very colorful in flight – brilliant blue and velvety black, with bright red and golden markings – but when sitting down they show their inconspicuous dusky purple underside. Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 2 inches (3.2 - 5.1 cm).
It is actually a Neotropical species; its North American range only includes the warm-temperate and subtropical parts of that continent, and it ranges southwards almost to the Isthmus of Panama. Oak woods, mesquite forests, planted walnuts in agricultural or suburban areas, and mixed woods infested with mistletoe. This one was photographed in a mixed oak-pine forest at Bussey Point Wilderness Area in Lincoln County, GA.
Flight: Three flights from March-December. Caterpillar Hosts: Mistletoe (Phoradendron species) growing on several tree species. Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including goldenrod, Hercules club, shepherd's needle, sweet pepperbush, and wild plum.
Spotted on Sep 23, 2012
Submitted on Mar 24, 2013
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