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.

Lake Waccamaw, Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

The only similar butterfly is the spectacular Atala (Eumaeus atala) of south Florida, though the two are not likely to be confused.

Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 9/19/09.

In North Carolina, Great Purples are found throughout the state but far more common in the Coastal Plain. The individual at left was the first one I'd seen in the Piedmont.

Mikania scandens (Climbing Hempweed), an herbaceous vine in the sunflower family that flowers in late summer, is one of their favorite nectar sources.

Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 9/19/09.

Seen from an angle, the wings show a purplish cast. Hairstreaks are named for the hairlike projections from the back end of the forewings, false antennae designed to lure predators into biting the wings instead of the head, allowing the hairstreak to escape.

Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 9/19/09.

In addition to their wispy tails, they have strange saddlebags projecting out from the lower end of their hindwings.

Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 9/19/09.

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.

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 easily approachable. If you stick your finger under one, it may climb on!

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