• Small Skipper
• Essex Skipper
• Large Skipper
• Dingy Skipper
• Grizzled Skipper
• Swallowtail
• Clouded Yellow
• Brimstone
• Large White
• Small White
• Green-veined White
• Orange-tip
• Green Hairstreak
• Purple Hairstreak
• White-letter Hairstreak
• Small Copper
• Brown Argus
• Common Blue
• Chalkhill Blue
• Holly Blue
• White Admiral
• Red Admiral
• Painted Lady
• Small Tortoiseshell
• Peacock
• Comma
• Pearl-bordered Fritillary
• Dark Green Fritillary
• Silver-washed Fritillary
• Speckled Wood
• Wall Brown
• Marbled White
• Gatekeeper
• Meadow Brown
• Small Heath
• Ringlet
• < HOME PAGE

Purple Hairstreak, Neozephyrus quercus

Great Sowdens Wood, Photo: Steve Wheatley

Recorded sightings in 2009: 50

Recorded sightings in 2010: 16

Status in Rother: Widely distributed but probably greatly under-recorded due to its propensity to stay high in the canopy.

Habitat: Colonies of Purple Hairstreak are associated with oak woods, ancient park woodlands, hedgerow and lane-side oaks, heathland oak scrub, oak screens along the edge of conifer plantations, and even colonise those in towns. In groups of oaks there is usually a favourite tree and isolated oaks may support colonies that have become self-contained on the same tree for many years.

ID Tips: Usually only seen as a tiny pale dot flying above the oak canopy. Check the top of oaks in evening sunshine.

First sighting in Rother (2009): 11 June
Recorded by: Charlie Winchester

First sighting in Rother (2010): 28 June
Recorded by: Charlie Winchester

UK Distribution trend: -15%

Ten year UK Population trend (1995-2004): -23%

Long term UK population trend: 53%