Species Account for Neozephyrus quercus
Neozephyrus quercus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Purple Hairstreak
Lepidoptera: butterflies: Lycaenidae
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Taxonomic group: butterflies (Lepidoptera: butterflies) - Part county data
Purple Hairstreak on UK Butterflies website
Species text
The most regularly encountered hairstreak in Essex and the only one of the three to sometimes bask with open wings. Although the larvae feed only on oak spp. the adults can be seen in small groups high in oak, birch, lime and elm trees, basically any tree in full sun, particularly on warm summer evenings. The movement of one insect can trigger several individuals into short duels of flight, seen as silvery flashes. The Purple Hairstreak will also descend to lower vegetation to feed on honeydew, occasionally bramble or to bask. In dry conditions, they will also take on minerals at the muddy edges of ponds. References
Habitats
Recorded management for locations with Neozephyrus quercus
Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Neozephyrus quercus
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