Species Atlides halesus - Great Purple Hairstreak

Great Blue Hairstreak

2 subspecies recognized: halesus (Cramer, 1777), and corcorani Clench, 1942 (Pelham, 2008; (1))

37-50 mm Wingspan(2)

Iridescent bluish green to purple on the thorax and basal half of the wings. Ventrally all of the wings have a crimson spot near the base; ventral forewing otherwise plain brown (female) or brown with patch of blue (male); ventral hind wing with three rows of greenish spots near the apex. Males have a large scent patch on the upper side of the front wing.(2)

ssp. halesus (Cramer, 1777): Mostly Southeastern U.S.A. to New England

ssp. corcorani Clench, 1942: SW Oregon, California, and southwestern U.S. into Mexico.

Larvae feed on mistletoe, live oak, western sycamore, and desert ironwood.(2)

egg larva pupa

These butterflies can be visually sexed by the underside of the forewing: males (left) have an iridescent blue patch, which females lack (right)

Arnett & Jacques (2)

ssp. halesus at Butterflies of America.

ssp. corcorani at Butterflies of America