Great Purple Hairstreak
Common NameGreat Purple Hairstreak
Scientific NameAtlides halesus
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyTheclinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorspurple, black, blue, orange
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, fields, areas with mistletoe
Geographic RangeSoutheastern United States, west to California, south through Mexico and Central America
Host Plantsmistletoe (Phoradendron spp.)
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed exclusively on mistletoe, often camouflaged against the plant. Pupation occurs on or near the host plant.
Identification TipsLook for the striking iridescent purple-blue upperside, the two slender tails on each hindwing, and its association with mistletoe plants. The underside features metallic blue-green spots and orange-red patches near the tails.
Description
A medium-sized hairstreak with brilliant iridescent purple-blue uppersides on its wings, a black body, and two slender tails on each hindwing. The underside is duller black with metallic blue-green spots and orange-red markings near the tails.
