Atala hairstreak--- The bright orange abdomen, a bright patch of red, and brilliant metallic blue dots on the hindwings, makes this one gorgeous butterfly. Once common in Florida, its food plant Coontie (Zamia pumila) was over-harvested in the late 1800s for its starch (we know the starch as arrowroot) and consequently that Atala was reduced to one small population. Dedicated conservationists helped provide plants for egg-laying females and then moved the egg-laden plants to various locations to start new colonies. Since the 1980s the Atala has made a remarkable comeback and can be seen flashing its colors throughout urban and natural areas of southern Florida.