Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)

Family: Lycaenidae Checklist: 61.003

 
Description
Wing span: 37-44 mm. The Brown Hairstreak is the largest hairstreak found in the British Isles. It is a local species that lives in self-contained colonies that breed in the same area year after year. This species can prove elusive, since adults spend much of their time resting and basking high up in tall shrubs and trees. The female has orange patches on her upper wings, and has generally brighter under-wings. Both sexes will show their top surfaces, but they mostly keep their wings closed when feeding. It is found in the southern half of England and Wales. It favours areas with extensive networks of hedges and woodland, often on heavy clay soils on low-lying land.
 
Images (click to enlarge)
Brown Hairstreak ♂ © Peter Fenn
Brown Hairstreak ♂ underside © David Hastings
Brown Hairstreak ♀ © Roo Perkins
Brown Hairstreak ♀ underside © David Hastings
Male Male underside Female Female underside
 
Life Cycle
There is one generation each year. This is the latest species to emerge in Britain, with adults being on the wing from late July to early September. The ovum is the over-wintering stage.
 
Larval Foodplants
The primary larval foodplant is Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).
 
Nectar Sources
Adults feed primarily on aphid honeydew.
 
UK Conservation Status
Vulnerable
 
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 8th July
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 21st July
 
Species Champion
Dave Wilton
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Reports
 
Distribution and Sites
 

Key
1 sighting 2-9 max seen 10+ max seen
This species is a habitat specialist. It can be found at these sites:
Buckinghamshire
Bernwood Forest
Bernwood Meadows
Chinkwell Wood
Finemere Wood
Rushbeds Wood/Lapland Farm Meadows
Oxfordshire
Asham Meads
Otmoor
Piddington Wood
Shotover Country Park
Sydlings Copse
Waterperry Wood
Whitecross Green Wood
Wytham Woods

 
Related Species
All Species