Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila)

Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila)

Florida Purplewing is rare in the US, where it is found in southernmost parts of Florida and Texas, though strays elsewhere have been seen. It inhabits the interiors of shady hammocks; you generally have to feed a lot of mosquitoes and deerflies to see one. The lavender tinge is brought out by the camera's flash - it isn't very noticeable under ambient lighting.

Compare with the Dingy Purplewing and Hammock Skipper.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Key Largo, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila)

Purplewings usually pose at odd angles on tree trunks and under leaves.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Key Largo, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila)

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Key Largo, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila)

There is a nice bright splash of purple on the upperside of the wings.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Key Largo, Monroe Co., FL 6/25/2010.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.