Green Hairstreak

Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758)

Status

Description

A small butterfly with a green underside and dark brown upperside. The butterfly usually rests on bushes with its wings closed which enables it to be quite distinctive, although difficult to spot without movement. The underside can have a series of white spots on the hindwing. Male and female are similar. It has one brood a year. The green underside is quite distinctive and can’t be confused with any other species.

Habitat Requirements

Found in a variety of habitats, most frequently maquis or garrigue. Usually found as singletons, except where nectar rich flowers are grown (see observations).

Larval Foodplants

Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus - not on Corfu, Rhamnus alaternus, Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica - not on Corfu, Rhamnus lycioides, Cornelian Cherry Cornus mas, Dogwood Cornus sanguinea, Arbutus andrachne, Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo, Mediterranean Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. rubriflora, Chamaecytisus hirsutus, Broom Cytisus scoparius - not on Corfu, Cytisus villosus, Dorycnium Dorycnium hirsutum, Genista acanthoclada, Genista sylvestris, Rubus canescens, Rubus sanctus.

Observations

A highly territorial spring butterfly that shows a polyphagous (feeding on many different plants) approach to host plant utilisation. A very photogenic species, which as John Denne demonstrated can easily be attracted to gardens, in considerable abundances, by planting large numbers of the tall growing spikes of Echium candicans (Blue Spires).

*The information provided in the tables below is based on verified sightings of the Green Hairstreak submitted via this website since 1st January 2021.

First and Last Sightings

Year First Last/latest # Days
2023 19/03/2023 06/06/2023 79 days
2022 23/03/2022 26/05/2022 64 days
2021 11/03/2021 17/05/2021 67 days

Number of Observations

Year Number of observations
2023 169
2022 221
2021 52
Grand Total 442

Distribution Map

Distribution maps for this species are currently unavailable.

Flight Times for the Green Hairstreak (2023)

The chart below shows flight data by month for 2023

Flight Times for the Green Hairstreak (All Data)

The chart below shows flight data by month since 1st January 2021

Taxonomy

  • Vernacular/Common Name: Green Hairstreak
  • Family: Lycaenidae (Leach, 1815)
  • Sub-family: Theclinae (Swainson 1831)
  • Tribe: Eumaeini (Doubleday 1847)
  • Genus: Callophrys (Billberg, 1820)
  • Species: rubi (Linnaeus, 1758)

References

For a list of references, please see our bibliography page.