I spotted this little guy on the knockout rosebush. It didn't seem to be lapping up nectar, but was walking along the edges of leaves and petals while sliding its wings forward-and-back against each other. I snapped a whole bunch of images for 11 minutes before this creature flew away for the evening.
It took quite a while to determine that this is a “hairstreak” — a subfamily in the Lycaenidae family — but the website for Butterflies and Moths of North America — http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy/Lycaenidae — was essential!
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
When I first saw and shot one of these, I had my old p and s. So did not do it justice, but was freaked out with how they move their wings. Someone on here told me it was to frighten off prey when they feel threatened. I have tried to figure out if these are the same as the little purple butterflies that are usually on that weed with the teensy yellow flowers all the time in my yard. Don't think so..the front is the same, but those hairy things in the back are not...I don't htink...and this one doesn't look solid purple the way the ones on the yellow flowers appear. COOL SHOT!
@espyetta Ohmygosh, MaryBeth, there are **so** many kinds of hairstreaks! I think — but I am *not* "unanimous" in this! — this is a Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus). http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Callophrys-gryneus
(The unanimous reference is from an old "Brit-com"...)
@rhoing I thought you were probably in the states. I use A Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America by the National Wildlife Federation for most of my insect identifications. It's an awesome guide! :0)
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in fact, i want to fav it.
lovely colours and interesting patterns.
thanks for sharing it.
(The unanimous reference is from an old "Brit-com"...)
@angeliquenordal Thanks, Angelique! The colors were amazing!
@jtookey150 Thank you, Jean! The colors -- along with the sliding wings -- are certainly what caught my eye when it was at rest!