Purple Hairstreak

[hystrix]

I came home and found this Hairstreak on my wife's car. I put it on some mint in the sun, and it started feeding immediately. The markings seem to be very indistinct....is this due to age or is this normal variation?

By the way, this is the first Purple Hairstreak I have seen where I live in 12 years!

[Neil Hulme]

Hi hystrix,
That's a typical look for a very old Purple Hairstreak with one foot in the grave.
Neil

[David M]

That is certainly a geriatric PH.

[millerd]

Doing amazingly well to retain a tail, considering...

Dave

[hystrix]

It had gone by lunchtime today, presumably flown off somewhere.....considering the temperature dropped to just 3.9°C last night, not bad considering the condition it's in!

[Chocky]

Well cptured

I too capture one a week or so ago mine looks to be old as well