Share

Brown hairstreak butterfly

Brown hairstreak ©Philip Precey

Brown Hairstreak butterfly

©Philip Precey

Brown hairstreak

Enw gwyddonol: Thecla betulae
The brown hairstreak is an elusive butterfly that spends much of its time in the treetops feeding on aphid honeydew.

Species information

Ystadegau

Wingspan: 3.6-4.5cm

Statws cadwraethol

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Pryd i'w gweld

July to September

Ynghylch

The largest of the UK's hairstreaks, the brown hairstreak is an elusive butterfly that spends most of its time either high in the tops of large ash trees (called 'master trees'), or among thick hedges. It is found at woodland edges and along hedgerows in southern England from late July until November. Adults feed on honeydew from aphids, while caterpillars feed exclusively on blackthorn.

Sut i'w hadnabod

The brown hairstreak is a large hairstreak, with brown upperwings and small 'tails' protruding from the hindwings. Females have a brilliant orange patch in the top corner of each forewing. The underwings are a distinctive bright orange, with two white lines streaked across them.

Dosbarthiad

Found in scattered locations in southern England and Wales.

Habitats

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

Female brown hairstreaks lay conspicuous, round, white eggs on young blackthorn shoots. Looking like blackthorn leaves, the older caterpillars are extremely well camouflaged and feed only at night.