Back to album

Hairiest Eyes, pt. 2 - _TNY_5178

The purple hairstreak (Favonius quercus, or sometimes Neozephyrus quercus) is rarely seen. Not because it is that uncommon, but because they spend their time up in oak trees.

 

On this day however, it was very windy and I suspect this is what forced this one to lower altitudes where I found it clinging to a maple leaf at just 1.5 m (5') height for dear life.

 

I suppose there must be a function to having such hairy eyes, but I can't see what it would be.

 

A closer shot which show the intense level of eye-hairiness better here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/28309770237/

603 views
5 faves
21 comments
Uploaded on July 31, 2018
Taken on July 1, 2018