 Taken at Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon., on May 6th 2020. (1/640th sec at f13. © David Hastings) Description Family: Theclinae Wing span: 28 - 33 mm The Green Hairstreak is unique among British butterflies in having vivid green coloration. It is the underside of the wings that are green, but as this butterfly always perches with its wings closed, the green underwings blend perfectly with the fresh green leaves of spring. The sexes are similar. It is found throughout most of Britain and Ireland, but is very localised in many areas. It forms distinct colonies which can be as small as a few dozen individuals. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including hillsides, moorland, chalk downland, heathland, railway embankments and valley bottoms. A common feature of all these habitats is the presence of scrubby plants and hedgerows. There is one brood per year, with adults being on the wing between mid-April and mid-June. The species over-winters as a pupa. This species has the widest range of larval foodplants of any British species, which includes Bilberry, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Broom, Common Rock-rose, Dogwood, Bramble and Gorse. Adults feed primarily on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Privet, Honeydew, aphid honeydew, and sap. Males spend long periods perched in vegetation, and will launch to investigate any passing insect. If it is a rival male they will engage in a spiralling battle flight. Green Hairstreaks regulate their body temperature by changing the alignment of their wings to the sun. Least Concern Sightings | 21-Jun-2023 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (3) | | 20-Jun-2023 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (1) | | 07-Jun-2023 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 20-May-2023 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (5) | | 16-May-2023 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (1) |
| | 28-May-2022 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 17-May-2022 | : | The Coombes, Wilts | (1) | | 17-May-2022 | : | Crog Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 09-May-2022 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (1) | | 30-Apr-2022 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 30-Apr-2022 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) |
| | 14-Jun-2021 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jun-2021 | : | Pitstone, Bucks | (1) | | 01-Jun-2021 | : | Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks | (3) | | 12-May-2021 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) |
| | 15-Jun-2020 | : | Daneway Banks, Gloucs | (1) | | 02-Jun-2020 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jun-2020 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (4) | | 09-May-2020 | : | Cholsey Marsh, Oxon | (2) | | 06-May-2020 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 23-Apr-2020 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) |
| | 01-Jun-2019 | : | Ardley Quarry, Oxon | (2) | | 24-May-2019 | : | Inverlaidnan, Highland | (12+) | | 14-May-2019 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (6) | | 12-May-2019 | : | Pitstone, Bucks | (12) | | 12-May-2019 | : | Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks | (3) | | 04-May-2019 | : | Gilfach, Powys | (3) | | 30-Apr-2019 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Apr-2019 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (7) |
| | 11-Jun-2018 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 20-May-2018 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (9) | | 15-May-2018 | : | Lardon Chase, Berks | (1) | | 09-May-2018 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (3) | | 07-May-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2m) |
| | 08-Jun-2017 | : | Paklenica National Park, Croatia | | | 06-Jun-2017 | : | Irinovac, Croatia | | | 28-May-2017 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (1) | | 14-May-2017 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (1) | | 07-May-2017 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (5) | | 09-Apr-2017 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (8m) |
| | 29-May-2016 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 28-May-2016 | : | Ardley Quarry, Oxon | (2) | | 15-May-2016 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (1) | | 08-May-2016 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (7+) |
| | 19-Jun-2015 | : | Dunkery Hill, Somerset | (1) | | 18-Jun-2015 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (10+) | | 30-May-2015 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 16-May-2015 | : | Pitstone, Bucks | (8) | | 16-May-2015 | : | Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks | (7) |
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