The atala butterfly is absolutely gorgeous and when it visits your garden it’s a thrill like no other.

According to the University of Florida – Eumaeus atala Poey, “is the largest and most iridescent hairstreak in Southeastern Florida.” This beauty was thought to be extinct from 1937 to 1959 due to a decline in its host plant, coontie. The early settlers overharvested the root for starch production.

The atala can be found in “subtropical” Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties in southeastern Florida. There are many butterfly enthusiast groups in Southwest Florida that have established atala colonies.

This little beauty is indeed small ranging from under 2 cm to 2.5-2.7 cm., with the males being a tad smaller than the females. The pure beauty of these butterflies is when they open their wings and a brilliant iridescent Carribean blue is displayed.

Due to its short proboscis, it seeks nectar that can be easily sipped, with white flowers being its preference, such as the sweet almond bush and scorpion tail.

Its host plant is the coontie (zamia integrifolia), and much like other host plants the leaves contain a toxic chemical – cycasin – that the caterpillars ingest and keep in its body through its life cycle, which can start as soon as the egg.

The eggs are about 1-1.25 mm in diameter and are laid in cream colored clusters. The caterpillars are red with yellow spots, which become visible a couple days after they hatch from its eggs. The caterpillars will grow to about 2.5 c.m. and go through three to five instars.

According to Florida Wildflower Foundation, their population hits their peak between June and January and the adults can live up to two months.