Observation date: April 04, 2020
Submitted by: Ranger Karen
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Apr 4 2020 1:55pm
Great Purple Hairstreak
Dark approximately 1/2" to 1" butterfly with line of blue spots and some yellow-ish spots on hind edge of dark underwing, red spots at base of hind wing, two dark tails, body dark with white spots and orange underside of abdomen. Was perched closed-winged for a long time at a NM olive flower. At some points it slid its lower wings against each other so that the tails of each wing would alternate being more prominent. Also appeared to bend the tail portion of the hind wings such that you could see one of the blue spots on each side from a face-on view. Sunny, 65-70 degrees, calm. There were a few wild plum bushes in flower below the privet. Both had multiple butterflies and bees. Especially tiny green bees and some kind of lady butterflies. Photos stills from a very bad video.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: April 20, 2020
Coordinator notes: Ranger Karen, this is awesome! the first of the year for this species. as for the ladies, those were probably Painted Ladies, which swamped apricot trees all over Santa Fe a week or two ago. Thanks so much for submitting!
