Regional Species


Purple Hairstreak
Neozephyrus quercus

Photograph by Janet Graham (Llanuwchllyn)

Regional Species

Although this is one of the commonest butterflies in North Wales it is seldom seen unless specifically looked for. It may be that every oak wood in the area supports this species and even isolated trees can host a colony. The best way to see the butterflies is to look up into the canopy (preferably with binoculars) and spot the dull greyish butterflies dashing around high above the ground. Activity reaches a peak on warm summer evenings in late July and August when the canopies can be absolutely dancing with the butterflies.

There is one generation per year with most sightings in the period from the last week of July to the first week of September (inclusive). Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) is the usual choice in North Wales but this may just be because this tree is much more common here than Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur); it would certainly be of interest if recorders were to note which species is involved. Eggs are laid towards the tips of twigs, where they remain throughout the winter months until the larvae finally hatch out at about the time of the bud burst in April.

Identification does present problems because the butterflies are usually seen in the distance and it is only with patience, or luck, that a close view can be obtained.