This species is at first glance similar to several other hairstreak species, but it has a characteristic blue spot on the underside, hence its name. It can often be ubiquitous in favourable habitats where individuals mob certain flowers in search of nectar. I have found it to be surprisingly approachable whilst feeding. Occasionally other closely related species can possess a small amount of blue scaling in a similar position to the current species, however it is never as large as the blue patch found on the Blue-spot Hairstreak. It also has a stronger white band on the underside than some of its relatives.

Distribution: South and central Europe. Absent from Fennoscandia, Britain and Ireland, Baltic countries, NW France, Netherlands, parts of Italy and the Mediterranean islands.

Flight Period: Late May-early August in 1 brood.

Habitat: Scrubby areas, woodland clearings, mountain meadows with light scrub, often in hilly areas.

Foodplants: Buckthorns (Rhamnus sp.), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Christ’s-thorn (Paliurus spina-christi).

Nectar Sources: Thymes (Thymus), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), various vmbellifers (Umbelliferae).

<Prev
Next>

.