Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)

In NC, these are uncommon and local in the coastal plain and rare in the piedmont. The upperside (seen only in flight) is a deep, rich blue. Great Purple Hairstreaks seem to have 3 broods in NC, two in the spring and one in the late summer. Mistletoes are the caterpillar host plants.

Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus) nectaring on Climbing Hempvine (Mikania scandens)

Hyde Co., NC
16 Sep 2006

Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus) crawling on Flattop Goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana)

Hyde Co., NC
16 Sep 2006


Orange Co., NC 1 May 2006	Orange Co., NC 1 May 2006


Chatham Co., NC 17 Sep 2005	Orange Co., NC 8 Sep 2005


New Hanover Co., NC 31 August 2003	New Hanover Co., NC 31 August 2003

New Hanover Co., NC
31 August 2003

	Here's a view of the rear end of Great Purple Hairstreak. Note the combination of flare of the corners of the wings with the "tails" gives an impression of large eyes and antennae. Chatham Co., NC 9/17/2005

Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007

Another rear angle!

Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007

Nice eyes!


Jones Co., NC 21 Oct 2007	Jones Co., NC 21 Oct 2007


Jones Co., NC 21 Oct 2007	Worn individual Craven Co., NC 21 Oct 2007

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... September 1, 2003 | Updated on ... Oct 26, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu