Sunday 21 May 2017

Green hairstreak butterfly


It is green hairstreak time again.  I first saw these butterflies last year and went back this week for another look.  They are small and brown but diffraction of light by the scales on the underwing produces this wonderful iridescent green colour.  They look brown when they fly but the upper wings are always hidden at rest.  The males hold a territory and defend it vigorously against intruders, often returning to the same vantage point between sorties.



2 comments:

  1. Where did you see these Chris?

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    1. At Muggleswick David. The place of each post or photo is in a tab at the bottom, as here.

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