Great Purple Hairstreak vs Common Mormon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Purple Hairstreak | Common Mormon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atlides halesus | Papilio polytes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 32-50 mm wingspan | 90-100 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States from California to the Atlantic coast | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Great Purple Hairstreak
The largest hairstreak in North America with brilliant iridescent blue upperside wings and a bright red-orange abdomen. Its underside is dark with metallic blue and red spots near the tails.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars feed only on mistletoe, and females seek out this parasitic plant high in oak canopies to lay their eggs.
Common Mormon
Males are plain black with a cream band; females occur in multiple forms mimicking different toxic species. A textbook example of female-limited polymorphism.
Did You Know?
A single gene called doublesex controls the switch between its mimetic female forms.