4 winged Opaque purple 'butterfly'

[chip bandit]

Saw a 'Butterfly' go by on my golf course in North Herfordshire, and again promised myself to always carry a camera. It had 4 narrow distinct wings, 2 front a 2 rear, approx 20/25mm span, they were striking in appearance being a deep opaque purple in colour. It may not have been a Butterfly but it had the 'uncontrolled' looking flight of a butterfly. Any suggestions appreciated. Regards.

[Geoff F]

Well there are a few purplish butterflies like the Purple Hairstreak but that is mostly found high up around oak trees. The Common Blue can appear a bit on the purple side in some lights.

But those narrow wings make me wonder if it was actually a Day Flying Moth.

Could the purple colour really have been more magenta? I'm thinking about one of the Burnet Moths now. These have rather long thin wings.

I'm certainly no expert on moths though and I'm really just guessing.

If you don't get a better answer here it may be worth asking in the Butterfly/Moth forum.

[Susie]

It's possible it was a purple hairstreak although these usually appear more grey when flying I find. They do occasionally come down to nectar but tend to spend time high up in the canopy.

[chip bandit]

Thanks for your offerings, I need to add to my description. The 2 pair of distinct wings, as seen in flight were quite separate from each other, a front and rear pair, and were unusual by the length (30mm) to their width very narrow. And the colour of the wings was a VERY DEEP OPAQUE purple. It fluttered in flight like a butterfly.

[chip bandit]

Any chance of it being a Dragon Fly? of the Chaser order? it's the colour of the wings which intrigue me.

[Africa]

A beautiful demoiselle maybe?
British Dragonfly Society - Beautiful Demoiselle

[bripriuk]

Hi
I agree withAfrica, it is almost certainly a Demoiselle, either a Beautiful or a Banded. This is a Banded I took a few weeks ago:



Brian

[chip bandit]

Originally Posted by Africa

A beautiful demoiselle maybe?
British Dragonfly Society - Beautiful Demoiselle

I think you have got it Africa, Thanks, I only saw it in flight, but the description of the male and it's flying pattern certainly fits. thanks

[Geoff F]

Yes your second description alters everything.

Once seen in flight a Beautiful Demoiselle is never forgotten. Last week I was watching one in a small brook, perched on the bank then darting out to catch insects.

I was lucky, very close and I did have my camera.

[chip bandit]

Thanks Geoff, got a 'photo of one in flight perhaps? - Yes once seen, never forgotten. I will attempt to see it again in the same area. (with my camera) Thanks for your time and effort. What a wonderful site this is!