White Letter Hairstreak

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White-letter Hairstreak - Satyrium w-album.jpg
Scientific Name: 
Satyrium w-album
Description: 

This Butterfly is named after the white W-shaped line on its hindwing, which also has tail steamers.

A small butterfly which lives in the tops of elm trees throughout England and Wales, but is often overlooked. Underwings brown with white W-shaped streak, an orange edge and small tails. Black Hairstreak is similar but has row of black spots on hindwing.
Distribution: 

A small butterfly which lives in the tops of elm trees throughout England and Wales, but is often overlooked.

Habitat: 

It breeds where elms occur in sheltered hedgerows, mixed scrub, and the edges of woodland rides, and also on large, isolated elms. It was previously thought to have a strong preference for large, mature elm trees, but is now found frequently on younger elm growth.

Diet: 
The butterfly breeds on various elm species, including Wych Elm, English Elm, and Small-leaved Elm. Research at one site has indicated a preference for (and a higher success rate on) Wych Elm. It breeds on mature trees or abundant sucker growth near dead trees. It has also been shown to survive on the Dutch Elm Disease-resistant, Sapporo Autumn Gold.
Status: 
  • UK BAP status: Priority Species
  • Butterfly Conservation priority: high
  • European threat status: not threatened
  • Protected in Great Britain for sale only
    • Did You Know?: 

    Generally, these fly high up around the tree canopy; binoculars and a flexible neck are useful. However they will come down to feed from flowers such as Bramble and Ragwort.