Whilst I was in Northumberland chasing Goldcrest, Andrea was out visiting Otley Chevin where she spotted an early single Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) on a grassy pathway.
The green colouration on the underside of the wing is caused by the diffraction of light on the wing scales. This is bilberry, the larval foodplant where GH's lay their eggs singly. Before pupating the caterpillar crawls to the ground to pupate at the foot of bushes, amongst leaf litter and as adults they tend to remain within a hundred yards of their home ground.
We had some great sightings of Green Hairstreak in this spot last year, and will no doubt be making a return journey in the next few weeks.
Nice one Andrea
ReplyDeleteA beautiful butterfly and a species I've never seen!
ReplyDeleteHello CB & RR, they're a butterfly treat, we're very lucky to have a colony nearby-ish & will have to have another trip out to see them. Have a lovely weekend, Linda
ReplyDeleteNice blog you havee
ReplyDelete