Atlides halesus are resident in patchy distribution in southwestern North America and as a second non-contiguous population in southeastern US north to New York (Scott 1986). Habitats are wooded areas mostly south of 38 degrees latitude. Host plants are largely restricted to a few species of hostplant mistletoe parasites (Loranthaceae) found on trees. Larvae eat leaves and male flowers. Individuals overwinter as pupae, at the base of the tree or under loose bark. Parasitoid wasps commonly inflict pupae. There are multiple flights each year with the approximate flight time Mar1-Nov30, all year in Florida and s. Texas (Scott 1986).

Atlides halesus, butterflies commonly known as great purple hairstreaks, are found from Guatemala north to the southern United States. Although they have been seen as far north as Maryland and Oregon, in the interior states they generally stay below the 38th parallel.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) Across United States, largely in South; wanders north to New York, Illinois, Oregon. Also south into Mexico.

Atlides halesus are relatively large butterflies, with a wingspan ranging from 30mm to 50mm. The upper side of their wings is black with brilliant iridescent blue. Below, the wings are a purplish black color with gold iridescent markings near the tails. Atlides halesus have two tails attached to each hind wing, one shorter than the other. The underside also has red spots near the attachment to the abdomen. The abdomen is blue on top and red-orange underneath. Females are slightly larger and duller than males.

Atlides halesus larvae are green with dark green bands, yellow stripes, and a narrow green mid-dorsal line. They are also covered in short orange and green hairs.

The pupae are mottled brown and black.

Range wingspan: 30 to 50 mm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger; male more colorful

Atlides halesus live in wooded areas, especially those that are infested with mistletoe, Phoradendron spp.

Habitat Regions: temperate

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

Comments: Deciduous forests, conifer flats, watersides, where larval host, mistletoe (genus Phoradendron) is found. A variety westward, mostly swamps in the east.

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

The larvae of Atlides halesus eat only mistletoe. The younger caterpillars eat the epidermis of the leaf while the older larvae eat the entire leaf. Adults drink the nectar of various flowers in the family Asteraceae, including goldenrods and ragworts.

Plant Foods: leaves; nectar

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Nectarivore )

Adult Atlides halesus help to pollinate various flowers in the family Asteraceae. Larvae help control mistletoe populations by eating the mistletoe leaves. The pupae provide a home and food for the developing parasitoid wasps and tachinid flies.

Ecosystem Impact: pollinates; creates habitat

Adult Atlides halesus protect themselves from predators by moving their wings up and down to draw attention to their false heads made by the tails and spots on the hind wings. Thus, if a predator attacks a butterfly by grabbing its tail, the tail will break off and the butterfly can escape.

Camouflage protects both larvae and pupae from large prey, but Atlides halesus have not developed a mechanism to protect the pupae from parasitoid wasps and tachinid flies.

Known Predators:

• Parasitoid wasps
• Tachinid flies Tachinidae 

Atlides halesus is prey of:
Metadontia amoena
Apanteles

Based on studies in:
USA: Texas (Plant substrate)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Atlides halesus preys on:
Phoradendron tomentosum

Based on studies in:
USA: Texas (Plant substrate)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 to >300

10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Atlides halesus communicate with potential mates by flapping their wings up and down while on treetops or hilltops.

Communication Channels: visual

Perception Channels: visual

Males patrol for females (Scott, 1986).

Female Atlides halesus scatter their eggs over mistletoe, Phoradendron spp. The larvae hatch and eat the mistletoe until they are fully grown. Then they journey to crevices under the bark or at the base of the host tree where they can safely pupate throughout the winter; in the spring, butterflies emerge.

Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis

After emerging from the pupae, Atlides halesus live for about 24 days.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 24 days.

Male Atlides halesus will wait on treetops or hilltops from noon to untill sundown (earlier on colder days) for a female to fly by. This mating system is called landmark based. Males will move their wings up and down to attract females. After mating, females will scatter their eggs over mistletoe, Phoradendron spp., so that the larvae will be able to eat. They breed from March through November, each female laying several broods each.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Male Atlides halesus often return to the same treetop or hilltop for days at a time to await new mates.

Breeding season: March-November

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); oviparous

After female Atlides halesus lay their eggs it is up to the larvae to feed and protect themselves.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 6
Species With Barcodes: 1

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank gives Atlides halesus a ranking of G5, which means that the species is secure globally, although it may be rare in the periphery of its habitat range.

US Migratory Bird Act: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N4 - Apparently Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Reasons: Widespread and common.

Degree of Threat: D : Unthreatened throughout its range, communities may be threatened in minor portions of the range or degree of variation falls within natural variation

Global Protection: Unknown whether any occurrences are appropriately protected and managed

None known

None known