The Green Hairstreak is Ireland’s commonest hairstreak, found in all counties and is also Ireland’s only green butterfly making identification fairly easy. In Spain, Portugal and southern France it occurs alongside the Chapman’s Green Hairstreak, however the latter species has a variable amount of brick-red colouration on its head and thorax which aids identification. Like most hairstreaks, it never rests with its wings open and often angles itself in relation to the sun to regulate its body temperature.  It can sometimes be rather plentiful where it occurs.

Distribution: Most of Europe but absent from a few smaller islands.

Flight Period: May-June in 1 brood, sometimes seen in April or July.

Habitat: Scrub, heath, moorlands, bogland margins and woodland edges up to 2300m, but in my experience it is commoner at lower altitudes. It is usually found over acidic soils.

Foodplants: Generally Gorse (Ulex europaeus), brooms (Cytisus) or Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) , but also bilberrys (Vaccinium), buckthorns (Rhamnus), brambles (Rubus) and heathers (Erica) along with several others.

Nectar sources: Not an avid nectar feeder; but individuals mob Cotoneaster if it grows in the area. Also Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), thymes (Thymus), Holly (Ilex) and honeydew.

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