Purple Hairstreak Butterfly (Neozephyrus quercus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Lycaenidae
Genus:Neozephyrus
Species:N. quercus
Binomial name
Neozephyrus quercus
Family Group: Lycaenidae – Blues
When: July to August.
Size: Wingspan around 38mm.
Larval Food Plant: Oak flowers and leaf buds.
Adult Nectar Plant: Oak sap, Ash and Aspen Honey Dew, may occasionally be seen on Brambles, Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).
Description
The Purple Hairstreak is our commonest Hairstreak but is not often noticed. Males have a purple upper wings whereas females have just a purple patch. The underwings are similar in both sexes, being lilac-brown crossed by a white 'hair-streak' and with an orange eye-spot next to a small tail streamer.
Habitat
Found around oak trees. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying in the tree canopy; however, the adults are occasionally seen basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken.
When to see it
July and August
Life History
The adults feed on honeydew in the tree canopy and the larvae feed on oak buds.
Purple Hairstreak Butterfly (Neozephyrus quercus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Lycaenidae
Genus:Neozephyrus
Species:N. quercus
Binomial name
Neozephyrus quercus
Family Group: Lycaenidae – Blues
When: July to August.
Size: Wingspan around 38mm.
Larval Food Plant: Oak flowers and leaf buds.
Adult Nectar Plant: Oak sap, Ash and Aspen Honey Dew, may occasionally be seen on Brambles, Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).
Description
The Purple Hairstreak is our commonest Hairstreak but is not often noticed. Males have a purple upper wings whereas females have just a purple patch. The underwings are similar in both sexes, being lilac-brown crossed by a white 'hair-streak' and with an orange eye-spot next to a small tail streamer.
Habitat
Found around oak trees. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying in the tree canopy; however, the adults are occasionally seen basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken.
When to see it
July and August
Life History
The adults feed on honeydew in the tree canopy and the larvae feed on oak buds.