The great purple hairstreak, also called the great blue hairstreak, is a common gossamer-winged butterfly species in parts of the United States. It is actually a Neotropical species; its North American range only includes the warm-temperate and subtropical parts of that continent, and it ranges southwards almost to the Isthmus of Panama. The type specimen, however, was shipped to Europe from the Colony of Virginia, probably around the time of the United States Declaration of Independence.
The subfamily Theclinae is a group of butterflies, often referred to as hairstreaks, with some species instead known as elfins or by other names. The group is part of the family Lycaenidae, the "gossamer-winged butterflies". There are many tropical species as well as a number found in the Americas. Tropical hairstreaks often have iridescent blue coloration above, caused by reflected light from the structure of the wing scales rather than by pigment. Hairstreaks from North America are commonly brown above. Few Theclinae are migratory. Members of this group are described as 'thecline'.
Thecla is a genus of butterflies, described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1807, belonging to the family Lycaenidae. The species are found in the Palaearctic.
Cyanophrys is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae erected by William J. Clench in 1961. The species of this genus are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical realms.
Brevianta is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The species of this genus are found in the Neotropical realm.
Calycopis is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. Massively split up by Kurt Johnson in 1991, most modern authors consider the changes proposed at that time to be unjustified. Most of the species of this genus are found in the Neotropical realm and others in the Nearctic realm.
Electrostrymon is a genus of Neotropical butterflies in the family Lycaenidae.
Enos is a genus of gossamer-winged butterflies. Among these, it belongs belong to the tribe Eumaeini of the subfamily Theclinae. These small butterflies occur essentially all over the Neotropics.
Erora is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae erected by Samuel Hubbard Scudder in 1872. The species of this genus are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical realms.
Lamasina is a genus of gossamer-winged butterflies ; the validity of its name is subject to dispute. Among its family, these sexually dimorphic Lepidoptera belong to the tribe Eumaeini of the subfamily Theclinae. Lamasina species are found mainly in northern South America, approximately to the Guyanas. L. draudti is also found in Central America south of the Yucatán Peninsula. In the Andes, the genus extends somewhat further south; L. rhaptissima almost reaches Bolivia.
Leptotes is a butterfly genus in the family Lycaenidae. They are commonly known as zebra blues in reference to their zebra-striped undersides.
Megathecla is a gossamer-winged butterfly genus of tribe Eumaeini in the subfamily Theclinae. These butterflies are found in the Neotropical realm. The distinctness of this genus was only recognized after the year 2000, even though the type species M. gigantea has been scientifically known since the late 19th century.
Ministrymon is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The species of this genus are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical realms.
Rekoa is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The species of this genus are found in the Neotropical realm.
Salazaria is a gossamer-winged butterfly genus of tribe Eumaeini in the subfamily Theclinae. As far as is known, these butterflies occur in the northern Andean region around Ecuador.
Thereus is a genus of gossamer-winged butterflies. Among these, it belongs belong to the tribe Eumaeini of the subfamily Theclinae. These small butterflies occur essentially all over the Neotropics.
Theritas is a genus of gossamer-winged butterflies found in the Neotropics. Among the tribe Eumaeini of its subfamily Theclinae, it is usually placed in the group around the genus Atlides. In particular, it seems most closely related to Arcas.
Thestius is a genus of hairstreak butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The species of this genus are found in the Neotropical realm.
Emesis is a Neotropical genus of butterflies.
