Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Quercusia quercus

Size:  Wingspan up to 36mm

Distribution:  Found mainly in the southern half of England, and most of Wales.  Less frequent in the north of the UK

Months seen:  July to September

Habitat:  Purple hairstreaks are usually seen high in the canopy of mature oak trees

Food:  Honeydew left by aphids.  The caterpillars feed on oak leaves and buds

Special features:  Male Purple Hairstreak butterflies have an iridescent purple sheen all over the upper surfaces of their wings.  The females have a smaller area of purple just on the forewings.  This is best seen when they are flying because at rest the wings are often closed together.  The undersides of the wings are a silver grey colour with just a hint of the purple.  The undersides also feature the characteristic white 'hairstreak' line, and small eye markings near the 'tails'.

Purple hairstreaks lays their eggs next to leaf buds on Oak trees.  The eggs remain there throughout the winter and hatch around April time when the newly hatched caterpillars can start feeding on the soft, developing oak leaves inside the buds.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Butterflies Section
• Identify other wildlife
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