Green Hairstreak
At last, my first butterfly photo of 2008. This Green Hairstreak (Callophys rubi) was found on the bilberry moors of upland East Cheshire. Although other British butterflies have elements of green markings, this is our only truly green butterfly. This makes it quite difficult to see as the insect's colour matches both the bilberry and birch leaves on which the butterflies often perch. The Green Hairstreak is a small insect with a wingspan of only 15mm when the wings are closed as in this photograph. Fortunately the butterfly is still relatively common on moorland and lowland heath, as well as chalk and limestone downs in the south of England.
Green Hairstreak
At last, my first butterfly photo of 2008. This Green Hairstreak (Callophys rubi) was found on the bilberry moors of upland East Cheshire. Although other British butterflies have elements of green markings, this is our only truly green butterfly. This makes it quite difficult to see as the insect's colour matches both the bilberry and birch leaves on which the butterflies often perch. The Green Hairstreak is a small insect with a wingspan of only 15mm when the wings are closed as in this photograph. Fortunately the butterfly is still relatively common on moorland and lowland heath, as well as chalk and limestone downs in the south of England.