Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1135175

Great Purple Hairstreak
Atlides halesus

Observation date: August 17, 2017
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: warm dry 75-80, 28 species today at least! was very surprised, normally i don't count. did not to see much as its late in the year. found water and nectar seems to b the secret. This was a male its blue under side stripe is just covered in this photo Posted second photo to show stripe. seems very fresh. saw a lot as many as five on a bush some were very easily scared away some just kept walking along from flower to flower. Females startled more easily the female i posted seemed huge compared to the males. Have not noticed this before! normally seem about same size.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: August 18, 2017
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): Orange County, United States, California