Friday, 3 September, 2010 homebutterfliesmothseventspressrecordingprojectsreservemembershipmagazinedownloadaboutcontactlinks Butterflies of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Purple Hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus There is one brood per year which can be seen from the beginning of July through to mid September. Although this butterfly is described as being quite common in favorable locations, its habit of living high in the tree canopy means it is rarely encountered. You will sometimes see this butterfly feeding on honeydew deposited by aphids lower down, especially during long hot summers. Look around the tops of Oak trees (even isolated Oaks may support a small colony) during the flight period where you may see several in flight. Binoculars recommended!! Larval Food plants Oak (Quercus) Habitat Requirements The Purple Hairstreak is found in woodland where Oak trees occur. It is also possible for a single Oak tree with no other woodland around to support small colonies. Disused railway lines where semi-mature Oaks exist can also support colonies of this small and elusive butterfly. Warwickshire Status Resident Where to see the Purple Hairstreak Ryton Wood (WWT Reserve) Weddington (North) Disused Railway Line Other Species Please select an alternative species from the list below. Bath White Black Hairstreak Black-veined White Brimstone Brown Argus Brown Hairstreak Camberwell Beauty Chalkhill Blue Chequered Skipper Clouded Yellow Comma Common Blue Dappled White Dark Green Fritillary Dingy Skipper Duke of Burgundy Essex Skipper Gatekeeper Geranium Bronze Green Hairstreak Green-veined White Grizzled Skipper High Brown Fritillary Holly Blue Large Skipper Large Tortoiseshell Large White Long-tailed Blue Map Marbled White Marsh Fritillary Mazarine Blue Meadow Brown Orange-tip Painted Lady Pale Clouded Yellow Peacock Pearl-bordered Fritillary Purple Emperor Purple Hairstreak Red Admiral Ringlet Silver-studded Blue Silver-washed Fritillary Small Blue Small Copper Small Heath Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Swallowtail Wall Brown White Admiral White-letter Hairstreak Wood White © John Carter - Oversley Wood, Warwickshire First Sightings First sighting dates are based on records of Purple Hairstreak submitted online. Please note that these dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms. 25/06/2010 - Oversley Wood 28/06/2009 - Oversley Wood 04/07/2008 - Ryton Wood 28/06/2007 - Ryton Wood © Steven Cheshire - Ryton Wood, Warwickshire   © Keith Warmington - Female Adult Flight Times The flight chart below is based on observations of the adult Purple Hairstreak in Warwickshire between 2005 and 2008. Peak periods are shown in dark green. Warwickshire Distribution Maps base on Vice County (CV38) which includes Coventry and Solihull Distribution of the Purple Hairstreak during the indicated period. Key to Warwickshire Maps: sightings 12-910+       2007 Distribution Data (1yr)   2008 available soon   2009 Distribution Data (1yr)   2000-09 Distribution Data (10yr) © Butterfly Conservation WarwickshirePrivacy and Copyright Statement Butterfly Conservation is a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)   Web site designed and maintained by Steven Cheshire