White-letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album

Satyrium w-album
Beckley Forest, Photo: Gordon Jarvis

Recorded sightings in 2009: 0

Recorded sightings in 2010: 2

Status in Rother: Very rare in Rother, although a colonies are known to exist on the Elms of Hastings and it is well represented in Brighton and West Sussex.

Habitat: The principal larval foodplant for White-letter Hairstreak is Elm. The widespread loss of Elms due to Dutch Elm disease has had an impact on this species, however it remains widely distributed in England and Wales having been able to utilize new Elm growth and by feeding on other species of Elm, such as Wych Elm.

ID Tips: Spends most of its adult life in the tree canopy. The White-letter Hairstreak is a small butterfly with an erratic, spiralling flight typical of the hairstreaks. It is distinguished by a strongly-defined white 'W' mark across the undersides. The dark uppersides are seen only in flight as the butterflies always settle with their wings closed. It is often easier to look for egg and larval stages of this butterfly rather than the adults.

First sighting in Rother (2009): Not recorded
Recorded by: Not recorded

First sighting in Rother (2010): 20 August
Recorded by: Gordon Jarvis

UK Distribution trend: -53%

Ten year UK Population trend (1995-2004): -63%

Long term UK population trend: -71%

Distribution map