Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Family: Lycaenidae Checklist: 61.005

 
Description
Wing span: 28-33 mm. This species is unique among British butterflies in having vivid green coloration. It is the underside of the wings that are green, but as this butterfly always perches with its wings closed, the green underwings blend perfectly with the fresh green leaves of spring. The sexes are similar. It is found throughout most of Britain. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including hillsides, moorland, chalk downland, heathland, railway embankments and valley bottoms.
 
Images (click to enlarge)
Green Hairstreak ♂ underside © David Hastings
Male underside Female underside
 
Life Cycle
There is one brood per year, with adults being on the wing between mid-April and mid-June. It over-winters as a pupa.
 
Larval Foodplants
This species has the widest range of larval food plants of any British butterfly, which includes Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and Gorse (Ulex europaeus).
 
Nectar Sources
Adults feed primarily on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Honeydew, Sap and Privet.
 
UK Conservation Status
Least Concern
 
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 29th March
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 14th April
 
Species Champion
Ben Paternoster & Andy Spragg
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Reports
 
Distribution and Sites
 

Key
1 sighting 2-9 max seen 10+ max seen
This species is a habitat specialist. It can be found at these sites:
Berkshire
Lardon Chase
The Holies
Buckinghamshire
Aston Clinton Ragpits
Bradenham
Calvert Jubilee
College Lake
Dancersend
Grangelands
Incombe Hole
Ivinghoe Beacon
Lodge Hill
Pitstone Quarry
Oxfordshire
Ardley Wood Quarry
Aston Upthorpe Downs
Crog Hill
Dry Sandford Pit
Hackpen Hill
Hartslock
Swyncombe Downs
Warburg Reserve
Wytham Woods

 
Related Species
All Species