Green Hairstreak Butterfly

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Green Hairstreak - Callophrys rubi.jpg
Scientific Name: 
Callophrys rubi
Wingspan: 
28mm (1 1/8in)
Description: 

The underwings are a bright green yellow ground colour, with a white faint broken line on the forewing and a clear white broken line on it's hindwing. The upperside is a rich chocolate brown - the males have a small oval patch at the front of it's forewing. The upperside is rarely seen when at rest as it usually has it's wings closed.

Distribution: 

Although this is a widespread species, it often occurs in small colonies and has undergone local losses in several regions.

Habitat: 

Green Hairstreak colonies may be found on calcareous grassland, woodland rides and clearings, heathland, moorland, bogs, railway cuttings, old quarries, and rough, scrubby grassland. This species occurs on a wide range of soils but is strongly associated with scrub and shrubs, which are usually present at sites where it breeds.

Diet: 
Common Rock-rose and Common Bird's-foot-trefoil are used on calcareous grassland, while Gorse, Broom, and Dyer''s Greenweed are used on heathland and other habitats. Bilberry is used almost exclusively on moorland and throughout Scotland. Other foodplants include shrubs such as Dogwood, Buckthorn, Cross-leaved Heath, and Bramble.
Status: 
  • UK Biodiversity Action Plan: not listed
  • Butterfly Conservation priority: medium
  • European threat status: not threatened