Black Hairstreak Butterflies

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Scientific name:  Satyrium pruni

Size:  Wingspan approximately 32mm

Distribution:  Found in the Midlands of England in a line running roughly between Oxford and the Wash

Months seen:  June and July

Life span:  Up to four weeks

Habitat:  Hedgerows, woodland edges and rides

Food:  Nectar.  Caterpillars feed on blackthorn

Special features:  The uppersides of the wings of Black Hairstreaks are mostly brown.  The females have a few small spots of orange at the outer edges of the hind and forewings.  The male has some orange spots on the back edge of the hind wings but none on the forewings.  The male also has a bluish scent patch on the forewings.

The Black Hairstreak is similar to the White-letter Hairstreak except the undersides of the wings have a row of black dots fringing the outside edges (see photo).

Related Pages

• UK Safari Butterfly Section
• UK Safari Caterpillar Section
• Identify other wildlife
• What's Out Now?