One of our most spectacular butterflies, Great Purple Hairstreak is shaped like a large black triangle colored with reddish-orange at the base of the wings and reddish-orange (below) and blue (above) body.

The individual at left has had its left hindwing bitten to reveal the metallic deep blue color of the upper side of the hindwing, normally visible only as a flash in flight.

In North Carolina, Great Purples are found throughout the state but far more common in the Coastal Plain.

Craven Co., NC 8/31/08.

This male shows the metallic light green and blue bands on the hindwing that were bitten off in the individual above.

The caterpillar host plant is mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum), an evergreen parasitic subshrub, especially common in swamp forests, that usually grows high in mature hardwood trees.

Male, Weymouth Woods, Moore Co., NC, 10/3/2001.

The male adjusted his wings a bit to reveal a flash of brilliant metallic blue on the underside of the forewing. Great Purple Hairstreak is a bit of a misnomer -- they are great in size (and great to see), but they're not purple.

Male, Weymouth Woods, Moore Co., NC, 10/3/2001.

Great Purple Hairstreaks are renowned for being tame. If you stick your finger under one, it may climb on!

Male, Tyrrell Co., NC 9/13/03.