Great Purple (Blue) Hairstreak (Atlides halesus halesus)

[Trehopr1]

Another spectacular Lycaenid species of "Holy Grail" status
here in the eastern U.S. is this marvel amongst the gossamar
winged butterflies. It is our largest of the hairstreak (grouping);
it's favorite foodplant is mistletoe. It is largely an arboreal
species which only occasionally is seen near ground level.

It is a species largely encountered more in our southern states
and west to Texas.

Once again, I offer photographs from the McGuire Center
collection/site at https://butterfliesofamerica.com/atlides_h_halesus.htm.
Bred examples of coarse and stunning from
any view.

There is but, one recorded occurrence here in Illinois of it.

[58chevy]

These are usually found individually or in small numbers, but I found at least 50 of them on a flowering plant (sorry, don't remember the species) in extreme south TX. I managed to snag about 8 of them. I have also seen them on mistletoe near Austin, TX.

[Trehopr1]

Here is my lone specimen from Georgia.
Picked it up in an old collection being
parted out. Very clean example.