OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Neozephyrus ("New + Greek God of West Wind" ) quercus ("oak")
Adult Purple Hairstreak (subspeciesN. q. interjectus) at Brigstock, Northants - July 2011
Featured Subspecies: Neozephyrus quercus interjectus
Length: ? / Wingspan: 31-40mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated
Supposedly the most common of the hairstreak butterflies found in the UK, the Purple Hairstreak resembles one of the blue butterflies when its wings are open, and when they are closed, like many of the other hairstreaks, from which it is differentiated from by the lesser amount of orange on the outer wings. As with most hairstreaks they are primarily found high in the treetops but come down to ground level to bask in sunlight.
Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Neozephyrus
SUBSPECIES: N. q. interjectus, N. q. longicaudatus, N. q. iberica
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but secretive canopy species
Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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