Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1101800

Great Purple Hairstreak
Atlides halesus

Observation date: September 09, 2016
Submitted by: vldeloach
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Question for Mike: do you have any idea why I only see this species (and rarely of course) in September? This sighting was just 2 days earlier than last year's. Spotted this dark hairstreak down in thick tangles of trailing boneset in a cattail slough, nectaring with mostly Buckeyes. Just 2 days earlier than last year's sighting at same wetlands atop regular white boneset. In both sightings I noted that bees & wasps will not leave this species alone.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: September 24, 2016
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Georgia, Cherokee County