Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus

Habitat

The Purple Hairstreak is found in deciduous woodlands, spending the majority of its time high in the canopy of mature oak trees on which it depends, but it can also be found in parkland or commons and hedgerows where a single mature oak can support a colony of these butterflies. It is fairly widespread throughout southern Britain, being more locally distributed further north and is locally common or abundant where it does occur. It is probably under-recorded owing to its secretive habits.

Identification

Appearing silvery in flight from the silver-grey underside of the wings, it occasionally basks in the sun with its wings open, revealing the beautiful purple sheen of the upper wings on the males, and the less eye-catching purple patches of the females. The undersides of both sexes are similar and display the characteristic white lines and orange spots of several of the other British hairstreaks.

Flight times

The Purple Hairstreak is single brooded and overwinter as eggs, with adults emerging in mid to late July and flying until September.

Food plants

Eggs are laid on oaks.