A small but stunning butterfly — wing uppers metallic blue-purple, hindwing with thin tails. Despite the name, it's a hairstreak rather than a true purple.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The great purple hairstreak, also called the great blue hairstreak, is a common gossamer-winged butterfly species in parts of the United States. 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. The type specimen, however, was shipped to Europe from the Colony of Virginia, probably around the time of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Source: Wikipedia — Great purple hairstreak Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small butterfly with iridescent purple-blue body and dark wings; orange-red and white tail spots; thin tail-like extensions from hindwings.
Similar species. Other hairstreak species (extreme diversity; expert ID required). Other small blue/iridescent butterflies (different patterns).
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Caterpillars feed exclusively on mistletoe (Phoradendron species).
Behavior. Among the most striking small butterflies of southern North America. Males are spectacular — iridescent purple-blue on upper wings with brilliant red-orange spots near the tail; females duller. Restricted to areas with mistletoe-bearing trees (oak, mesquite, juniper). Caterpillars are heavily attended by ants that protect them from parasitoids in exchange for honeydew secretions.
§ Range
Southern and southwestern US
§ Habitat
Oak-mistletoe areas, deserts, woodlands
§ Threats
Mistletoe removal for "tidiness," oak decline, pesticide drift.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the great purple hairstreak is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Tolerate mistletoe in oak trees (some specialists need it). Skip pesticides. Don't remove mistletoe.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Great purple hairstreak
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Atlides halesus
- iNaturalist · taxon 49363
- IUCN Red List — search for Atlides halesus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Atlides halesus
§ Sources cited
- Butterflies and Moths of North America
- Xerces Society
- iNaturalist
