The upperside of the male is an almost velvety black - when seen in cetain lights it has a purple violet iridescenes. Also has small tail streamers on it's hind wings. The upperside of the female is much the same except the purple iridescene is less extensive. The underwing of both sexes is a grey ground colour with small orange spots on its hindwing,and has a white streak edged in black.
This handsome butterfly is widely distributed throughout southern areas wherever there are oak trees; even a solitary tree may support a colony. It is frequently overlooked as adults remain largely in the canopy where the main adult food source is honeydew; they fly more commonly in the evening of a warm summer's day. They are only driven down to seek fluid and nectar during prolonged drought, as occurred in 1995-6. There has been a recent increase in records and an extension of the range of this butterfly especially in the English Midlands and south-west Scotland, even in urban areas (including London) which may be related to improvements in atmospheric quality.
Oak Woods, can also be found around isolated Oak Trees away from Woodland even sometimes in urbamn areas, often goes unseen owing to its habit of remaining around the tops of Oak Trees without descending ground level. The adult feeds on honeydew and will also visit other trees feed such as Ash. Best time to observe is evening after 5 PM when numbers wil be seen fluttering around the tops of Oak Treen. The Purple Hairstreak is restricted to oak trees including both the native species, Sessile Oak and Pedunculate Oak, and the introduced Turkey Oak. Evergreen Oak also may be used.
Often very common in areas where it occurs although often it will be go unobserved.
Winter is passed as an egg.
