Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)

Order: Lepidoptera (le-pid-OP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Lycaenidae Genus: Atlides Species: halesus Profile: No positives 2 neutrals No negatives Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Blythe, California Halifax, Massachusetts Gold Hill, Oregon Fort Worth, Texas Garland, Texas Helotes, Texas Houston, Texas Mission, Texas Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Neutral Scorpioangel On Jul 26, 2006, Scorpioangel from Gold Hill, OR (Zone 7a) wrote: Identification: Hindwing with one short and one long tail. Abdomen is blue on top, red-orange beneath. Upperside black with wide-spread iridescent blue. Underside black with iridescent gold markings near tails. 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. Habitat: Oak woods, mesquite forests, planted walnuts in agricultural or suburban areas, and mixed woods infested with mistletoe. Range: Guatemala north to central California, east through Texas and southern Missouri to Maryland. Males perch on treetops or other tall objects in the afternoon, watching for receptive females. Caterpillars eat leaves and male flowers of the host plant. Chrysalids hibernate in crevices at base of host tree or under loose bark. Neutral Magpye On Aug 16, 2006, Magpye from NW Qtr, AR (Zone 6a) wrote: Wing span: 1 1/4 - 2 inches (3.2 - 5.1 cm). Identification: Hindwing with one short and one long tail. Abdomen is blue on top, red-orange beneath. Upperside black with wide-spread iridescent blue. Underside black with iridescent gold markings near tails. Life history: Males perch on treetops or other tall objects in the afternoon, watching for receptive females. Caterpillars eat leaves and male flowers of the host plant. Chrysalids hibernate in crevices at base of host tree or under loose bark. 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. Habitat: Oak woods, mesquite forests, planted walnuts in agricultural or suburban areas, and mixed woods infested with mistletoe. Range: Guatemala north to California and Oregon, east through Texas and southern Missouri to Maryland.

By Scorpioangel By Sheila_FW By Sheila_FW By pbtxlady By pbtxlady By pbtxlady By pbtxlady There are a total of 11 photos. Click here to view them all!