Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 958873

Great Purple Hairstreak
Atlides halesus

Observation date: February 19, 2014
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: on mistletoe, that was growing on cat claw or maybe mesquite. eating on end of stem. hot high of eighty about three thousand feet. desert mountain transition. yucca , oaks cacti, sage scrub. in a permeant spring area. lots of grasses and sedges. very few annuals. these are very hard to find, this one was on the end of this twig and very easy to spot. just below rancheta ca. borrego desert state park. Very dry everywhere except the tops of the mountains seem very green. and also the spring is very alive. mule fat had lots of blooms covered in butterflies and bees. a few deerweeed and mallow blooming and along the road side a few lupine
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: February 25, 2014
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, California, San Diego County