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Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Green is the Colour

The Green Hairstreak Butterfly (Callophrys rubi)

Yesterday - was the earliest date that I have found the Green Hairstreak in the season.
With a wingspan of 33mm (15mm closed), green in colour on the underside (wings always closed when at rest) and favouring the green leaves and white flowers of the Hawthorn bush, its not the easiest species to find. Fortunately I always check a certain location where it is known that in the past they colonise provides some advantage. This species is the most widely distributed Hairstreak in the UK, that said it is not found everywhere, mostly in Southern England and Wales.
If you can find one pitched then they can been observed, but if disturbed they are so difficult to follow and involves some luck in keeping up with.
Interestingly it is a very dull brown on the upper wings, but you never see it and you would be very fortunate to get a good shot of it. My latest blurred effort is at the foot of this post.














Blurred image of the upper wing colour.



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24 comments:

  1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure28 April 2015 at 09:23

    I have never seen that butterfly Roy. It is a shade of green. Great images.

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  2. Unknown28 April 2015 at 10:29

    Lovely photos of the butterflies. The green colour is very pretty.

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  3. Simon Douglas Thompson28 April 2015 at 12:21

    Not a butterfly I've ever seen. There are purple hairstreaks at RSPB Langford but they live in the tree tops. Lovely shots.

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris29 April 2015 at 00:45

      Thanks Simon, yes good luck with trying to see them.

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  4. The Furry Gnome28 April 2015 at 13:07

    Remarkable green colour that one is!

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  5. Wilma28 April 2015 at 13:40

    A nice green with a touch of emerald to it. I had no idea they were so small! Great shots of it, Roy.

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  6. SeagullSuzie28 April 2015 at 13:47

    How beautiful, I've never seen one. Loved all the shots...even the blurred one!

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  7. Millymollymandy28 April 2015 at 17:25

    Fabulous - I'm so envious! I saw one last year (not at home) but only managed a blurred distant shot before it disappeared. :-)

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  8. Anonymous28 April 2015 at 19:42

    These captures must have made your day! Especially that you were able to follow it for a while. Have never seen this one:)

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  9. Nathailes SANTA MARIA28 April 2015 at 22:25

    Bonsoir Roy
    Que de photos ! on a de quoi choisir. Les couleurs de ce papillon sont très belles.
    Cela fait longtemps que je n'en ai pas vu.
    Bises

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris29 April 2015 at 00:41

      Merci Nathalie.
      Je peux habituellement voir la quelques-uns au début de mai.

      Delete
  10. grammie g28 April 2015 at 23:46

    Hey Roy... A real beauty!! Interesting that the boldest color is on the under side, and the lesser on the top. Perhaps you will get a chance to get a shot of the top at some point,but for now these are great!

    Grace

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris29 April 2015 at 00:39

      Thanks GG, I will need to get very lucky for that.

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  11. Linda Yarrow30 April 2015 at 23:54

    Lovely captures of this lovely little green butterfly. You are right, it is quite early, my 'Britain's Butterflies' book says they emerge about mid May.

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    1. Roy Norris1 May 2015 at 13:02

      Thanks Lyn, yes I usually see them at the beginning of May.

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  12. Mary1 May 2015 at 00:34

    Beautiful! I've never seen a green butterfly, so they are really neat to look at. They sure blend with the background.

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    Replies
    1. Roy Norris1 May 2015 at 13:01

      Thanks Mary, yes it is an unusual colour.

      Delete

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