The Black Hairstreak is an elusive species which exists in small colonies among thickets and dense scrub. It is absent from Ireland whilst in the UK it is the rarest of the 5 hairstreak species, being represented by around 40 colonies concentrated primarily in Oxfordshire. Despite its name it is predominantly brown, loosely resembling the other Satyrium species. It is usually only found in small numbers but in the eastern part of its European range it can be locally abundant. In terms of its habits it is usually observed on bushes and thickets at eye level and virtually never descends to the ground, preferring to bask on leaves and take nectar from shrubs such as Privet or Bramble. I managed to find one in Romania, where it can be more frequent.
Distribution: Much of western, central and eastern Europe. Absent from nearly all Mediterranean regions, all but the far NE of the Iberian peninsula, Ireland, most of the UK and most of Fennoscandia.
Flight Period: Mid May-July in 1 brood.
Habitat: Deciduous woodland, dense hedgerows, mature scrub, forest edges. Prefers lowlands below 700m.
Foodplants: Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Nectar Sources: Primarily brambles (Rubus sp.) and Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), but occasionally others such as umbellifers (Umbelliferae).
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- Black Hairstreak, Cluj, Romania, June 2019
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- Black Hairstreak Pupa (reared)
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- Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa.
