Hairstreaks / Satyrium belong to Lycaenids and are easily recognized for their white streaks on the their wings.

The genus Satyrium had older names which are now obsolete: Neolycaena, Nordmannia, Pseudothecla and Strymonidia.

The Hairstreaks thrive in sub-arctic and subtropical climate of the Northern Hemisphere and prefer woodland edges and closely associated with Prunus sp, although White-Letter Hairstreak is dependent on Elm for ovipositing and many of its populations were destroyed with the spread of Dutch Elm Disease which destroyed elm forests.

Know your Butterflies: Hairstreaks, Eumaeini

There are 7 Species that exist in Europe: Black Hairstreak, Satyrium pruni; Blue-Spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini; False Ilex, Satyrium esculi; Ilex, Satyrium ilicis; Orange-Banded Hairstreak, Satyrium lederi; Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae White-Letter hairstreak, Satyrium W-album. In addition to these there are a few additions: Brown Hairstreak, Thecla betula which is closely associated with woodlands. Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi Purple Hairstreak , Favonius quercus, formerly known as Quercus quercus They are a small recognizable group of Lycaenidae which are often discovered on wood edges and shrubbery rather than open grasslands. Of these the White Hairstreak is dependent and influenced greatly by Dutch Elm Disease as its main host plant are elms. They are a small recognizable group of Lycaenidae which are often discovered on wood edges and shrubbery rather than open grasslands. Of these the White Letter Hairstreak is dependent and influenced greatly by Dutch Elm Disease as its main host plant are elms.

Know Your Hairstreaks

Brown Hairstreak, Satyrium spini Changes in forest and land management from traditional to industrial farming have serious effects on butterfly populations which tend to be sedentary. Many butterfly species have host plants that were used in traditional farming as hedge rows or left on edge fields and patches as wind breaks or small refuges for wildlife. But modern industrial farming strips land of shrubbery, hedgerows and flattens vast areas of land without allowing small shrubbery and wild thatches. Moreover, the use of pesticides complicates and impacts environmental health from critical invertebrates to the birds of prey who inadvertently can be poisoned through food chain. Wild cherry and plum trees, blackthorn not only heighten the beauty of natural landscape but they provide haven for diverse wildlife that goes far beyond butterflies seeking suitable host plants. Land management and usage must be changed through education and awareness of the relationships between invertebrates and plants and their overall impact on health to general ecology and human benefit. A butterfly is not just a beautiful thing, it is a fleeting thing that is badly threatened by human indifference and an indicator of overall environmental health.

Know Your Hairstreaks

Synonyms: Strymon spini (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Strymonidia spini (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Status: Endangered Plant/larvae: Common Buckthorn, Rhamnus catharticus; Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa; Plum, Prunus domestica, Alder Buckthorn, Frangula alnus, Rhamnus pumila, Rhamnus saxatilis. Prefers low shrubs of up to meter in height over tall hedgerows. Plant/adult: Ox-Eye, Buphthalmum salicifolium; Wood Spurge, Yarrow, Achillea millefolium; Lavender, Lavendula sp; Stonecrop, Crassulaceae; Thyme, Thymus sp. Habitat: scrublands, woodland edges, glades Myrmecophile: Lasius psammophilus, Iridomymrmex sp Larvae is tended by ants in symbiotic relationship. Threats: Radical removal of shrubs and deforestation with the abandonment of traditional coppicing and intensified agriculture without hedgerows. Destruction of blackthorn and related plants . Countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Gilbrater, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, North Aegean, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, ex-Yugoslavia

Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini

Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ UK Butterflies http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=spini#.U6XWdeaAKSE Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ Biolib.cz http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id51401/ Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ Butterflies of Europe http://www.lepidoptera.eu/show.php?ID=163&country=XX Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ Butterflies of France http://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/html/Satyrium%20spini.htm Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ Butterflies of Europe and North Africa http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/SatyrSpini.htm Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ Lepidoptera and their ecology http://www.pyrgus.de/Satyrium_spini_en.html Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ Butterflies of Europe http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Europe%20-%20Satyrium%20spini.htm

Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini

Status: not endangered Plant/larvae: Plum, Prunus spinosa; Blackthorn, Prunus domestica; Bird Cherry, Prunus padus; Hawthorn, Crataegus; Birch, betula; Hazel, Corylus, woody rose plants: Prunus avium Plant/adult Honeydew / Sap; Bramble , Rubus fruticosus; Devil's-bit Scabious , Succisa pratensis; Hemp Agrimony, Eupatorium cannabinum; Hogweed / Angelica Umbellifers; Ragwort, Senecio jacobaea; Thistles , Cirsium sp + Carduus sp Habitat: coexists with Satyrium acaciae in warm limestone grasslands and rocky areas where there are scrubby rose and blackthorn bushes. Distributed through middle Europe across Northern Spain and through Central Europe. Eggs overwinter where deposited and development takes place in spring a with other Hairstreaks. Flight is not until late June until October depending on sustained heat. Countries: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Isles, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, ex-Yugoslavia

Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae

Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ UK Butterflies http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=betulae#.U6XNz-aAKSE Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ Biolib.cz http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id51384/ Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ Moths and Butterflies of Euope and North Africa http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/TheclaBetul.htm Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ European Moths and Butterflies http://www.lepidoptera.eu/show.php?ID=166&country=XX Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ Butterflies of France http://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/html/Thecla%20betulae.htm Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ Lepidoptera and their ecology http://www.pyrgus.de/Thecla_betulae_en.html Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ Fauna Europaea http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=441157

Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae

Green Hairstreak is known for its glimmering emerald wings. The taxonomical name, Callophrys "beautiful eyebrows" and rubi is derived from the plant most associated with the butterfly: bramble. The butterfly and larvae are phytophagus with the largest known diversity of food plants allowing it to survive in chalk lans, moors, woodlands and abandoned lots overrun with bramble vines. Although not a true myrmecophile, the larvae squeaks to attract ants which bury it in the groud for overwintering. One of the earliest butterflies, it emerges in March and flies through end of June. Sometimes, the butterfly is seen in July and August but is thought to be one-generation per season. Plant/larvae: Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus; Cow Vetch, Vicia cracca; ZigZag Clover (Sweet Clover), Trifolium medium; Raspberry, Rubus idaeus, Bilberry, Vaccinium uliginosum; Heather, Calluna vulgaris; Buckthorn, Frangula / Rhamnus; Currant, Ribes; Spiraea; Peashrub, Caragana; Broom, Chamaecytisus; Alpine Sweetvetch, Hedysarum; Broom, Genista; Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides; Plant/adult: Bramble, Rubus fruticosus; Common Rock Rose, Helianthemum nummularium; Bird's-foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus; Gorse, Ulex europaeus; Broom Cytisus scoparius; Dyer's Greenweed, Genista tinctoria; Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus; Dogwood, Cornus sanguinea; Buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica; Cross-leaved Heath, Erica tetralix, Sainfoin, Onobrychis; Alder Buckthorn, Frangula alnus; Clover, Trifolium; Bog Bilberry, Vaccinium uliginosum; Common Dogwood, Cornus sanguinea; Greenweed, Genista; Rockrose, Helianthemum; Broom, Chamaecytisus, Privet, Ligustrum vulgare Habitat: Chalk lands, heath, moorlands, woodland clearings, bramble patches, abandoned lots

Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi

Life cycle: Butterflies emerge early March- June with rare brood late in July and August. The eggs are laid singly on plants near ground. The larvae emit squeaks which attract ants which bury them. The larvae overwinter underground. Although there is larval-ant interaction, they are not true myrmecophiles. Companion Butterflies: Adonis Blue, Polyommatus bellargus, Chalk Hill Blue, P coridon, Common Blue, P icaraus; Small Blue, Cupido minimus; Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus; Duke of Burgundy, Haemeris lucina; Grizzled Skipper, Pyrgus malvae; Dingy Skipper, Erynnes tages; Orange-tip, Anthocaris cardimines; Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhanni; Dark Green Fritiallary; Argynnis aglaja; Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta; Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urtica; Peacock, Aglais io; Comma, Polygonia c-album; Speckled Wood, Parage aegeria Threats: Loss of habitat through agricultural intensification Countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia,-Herzegovina, British Isles, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gilbralter, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, N Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sardenia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ukraine, ex-Yugoslavia

Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi

Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi / Butterflies of France http://tinyurl.com/qfahmae Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callophrys_rubi Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ Fauna Europaea http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=441177 Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi / Butterflies of Europe http://tinyurl.com/pzu4krm Butteflies and Moths of Europe and North Africa http://tinyurl.com/pp6fu49 Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ British Butterflies http://tinyurl.com/pc9ay3m Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ Butterfly Conservation http://tinyurl.com/nc3qhmb Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ARKive http://www.arkive.org/green-hairstreak/callophrys-rubi/ Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/Lepidoptera and their ecology http://www.pyrgus.de/Callophrys_rubi_en.html

Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi

Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ Biolib.cz http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id51395/ Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ UK Butterflies http://tinyurl.com/mzxeqs6 Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi/ EOL.org http://eol.org/pages/263782/overview

Status: Endangered

Plant/larvae: Prunus spinosa, Prunus sp Plant/adult: Yarrow, Achillea mellifolium; Ragwort, Senecio jacobeae; Goldenrod, Solega; Thyne, Thymus; yellow and white Asteraceae , Helichrysum sp

Habitat: limestone grasslands, subAlpine woodlands, woodland edges, field edges where prunus sp shrubbery available; scrubby heathland

Male and Female look similar. The white streak on the Sloe is nearly straight rather than the ragged "M" letter of the Ilex S ilicis

Threats: Sloe Hairstreak is threatened by brush removal and stripping of land of shrubs and trees and intensified agriculture. It is dependent on Prunus, particularly Blackthorn and prefers lower shrubs. Egg overwinters on the plant.

Life cycle: Eggs overwinter on the shrubs and hatch in February- March. Flight: May- August

Countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, North Aegean, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, ex-Yugoslavia

Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae

Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae/ Butterflies of Europe http://www.lepidoptera.eu/show.php?ID=160&country=XX Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae// Biolib.cz http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id51404/ Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae/ Butterflies of France http://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/html/Satyrium%20acaciae.htm Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae/ Lepidoptera and their ecology http://www.pyrgus.de/Satyrium_acaciae_en.html Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae/ Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/SatyrAcaci.htm Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae/ Fauna Europaea http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=441173 Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae/ Learn About Butterflies http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Europe%20-%20Satyrium%20acaciae.htm

Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae

Synonyms: Nordmannia w-album Plant/larvae: English Elm, Ulmus procera; Small-leaved Elm , Ulmus minor; Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, Ulmus sp Plant/adult: European dwarf elder, Sambucus ebulus: Goldenrod, Soligo; Habitat: dependent on Elm trees for larval food. Woodland, gorges, grasslands where elm has presence. To discover Hairstreak eggs, scan the blossoms on the lowest branches of the trees. Look to the back of the flower blossoms for eggs near the terminal leaves on the twigs. S. ilicis, S spini, S w-ablum and Favonus quercus can be found in similar manner. Flight: mid-June- August Threats: Dutch Elm Disease nearly caused extinction in UK and across Europe. Replacement forest of spruce or single species forest with no mixed deciduous trees. Countries: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia- Herzegovina, British Isles, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Corsica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, ex-Yugoslavia

White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album

White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album/ Biolib.cz http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id51399/ White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album/ UK Butterflies http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=w-album#.U6csQOaAKSE White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album/ Lepidoptera and their ecology http://www.pyrgus.de/Satyrium_w-album_en.html White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album/ European Butterflies and Moths http://www.lepidoptera.eu/show.php?ID=164&country=XX White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album/ Butterflies and Moths of Europe and North Africa http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/SatyrW-alb.htm White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album/ Fauna Europaea http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=441168

White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album

Know Your Hairstreaks

Mary C Legg © 2014 pogomcl@live.com @pogomcl