Worn Butterfly for ID/Confirmation please

[Cheryl]

I just saw this sorry looking butterfly in the garden and think it must be a Small Blue ?

[Lance Morgan]

Difficult to get an idea of size. Unlikely to be small blue and looks more like one of the hairstreaks. Maybe Brown.

[Cheryl]

It was quite small Lance. I think it is probably too far gone to tell for sure but thank you anyway

[GuyF]

It's a very tatty Green Hairstreak, it is getting quite late in the year for them. That's an excellent garden butterfly though, nice one!
Guy

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Difficult to get an idea of size. Unlikely to be small blue and looks more like one of the hairstreaks. Maybe Brown.

Unlikely to be a worn Brown Hairstreak as they don't normally appear until about July.

[Neil Jones]

Originally Posted by GuyF

It's a very tatty Green Hairstreak, it is getting quite late in the year for them. That's an excellent garden butterfly though, nice one!
Guy

I agree that is what I thought instantly. Looking at the full size photo confirmed it.

[Cheryl]

Originally Posted by GuyF

It's a very tatty Green Hairstreak, it is getting quite late in the year for them. That's an excellent garden butterfly though, nice one!
Guy

Thank you for the ID - I shall have to look out for them next year.

Thanks all.

[James M]

A great find! I've never seen one. Am I right in thinking the larvae feed on bilberry? We have lots of that round here so if I go looking at the right time next year how are my chances of seeing one?

[Lance Morgan]

Good ID you two. I can see the markings on the hindwing now and agree definitely a GH. They will take Bilbery and will lay on a number of other plants. Gorse, Sloe, even Bramble.