For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Green Hairstreak Butterflies
Identify It > Butterfly Section > Green Hairstreak Butterflies >
Scientific name: Callophrys rubi
Size: Wingspan approximately 28mm
Distribution: Found throughout most of the UK but in small numbers
Months seen: April to July
Life span: Up to eight months
Habitat: Heathland and meadows
Food: Nectar. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants including; bramble, broom, bilberries, gorse, bird's-foot trefoil and vetch
Special features: Green Hairstreaks are the only butterflies to have completely green coloured scales on the undersides of their wings. The upper surfaces of the wings are brown. Males have a light grey coloured scent patch at the front of each forewing on the upper surface. This is the only noticeable difference between the two sexes.
The bright green caterpillars grow to approximately 15mm. They spend the winter as a chrysalis, often underground inside ant nests. The chrysalis is able to communicate with the ants via a sound organ which makes a series of clicking sounds - just audible to the human ear.
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