BUTTERFLY: Purple Hairstreak, Haverthwaite, Cumbria

July 25, 2009:
The Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) which is restricted to oak trees, is mainly found in southern England and is scarce in the north.





It is an elusive butterfly and is often overlooked as it normally flies high in the tree canopy where the adults find honeydew on which to feed. With only one generation a year, adults fly during July and August and the best time to see them is on a hot sunny day, especially towards evening. Owing to this, they are not easy to photograph. The developing larvae burrow into the oak buds on which they feed.