Moth With Irridescent Blue Wings - ID Help Please

Lancashire Lad · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Spotted this today while out fungi hunting.
Couldn't resist taking a photo because of the bright irridescent blue on the wings.

Overall length only about 20mm, so quite small.

Not sure if was recently emerged, as the wings were "crinkled" in appearance, and it made no attempts to fly away, but happily crawled along my finger so that I could place it in a better spot to grab a photo.

Any ID help much appreciated. (I've got no idea with insects).

Regards
Mike.

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 05:12 PM

Looks like a butterfly with those antennae. So probably either a Purple Emperor or Purple Hairstreak.

Cheers,

Adam

Lancashire Lad · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 05:16 PM

Hi Adam,

Thanks for that.

I thought it might possibly be a butterfly because of the antannae shape, but the folded wings made it look more moth like (to me). - Just proves what I said - I know nothing about insects

Regards
Mike.

GuyF · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Looks like a butterfly with those antennae. So probably either a Purple Emperor or Purple Hairstreak.

Cheers,

Adam

Yes, definetely a Purple Hairstreak, looks like a female. You were lucky to catch one emerging, once they have pumped up their wings they spend almost all their time high up in the canopy!
Guy