Purple Hairstreak
Favonius quercus
This record describes Favonius quercus (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The Purple Hairstreak is our commonest Hairstreak but is not often noticed. Males have a purple upper wings whereas females have just a purple patch. The underwings are similar in both sexes, being lilac-brown crossed by a white 'hair-streak' and with an orange eye-spot next to a small tail streamer. Found around oak trees. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying in the tree canopy; however, the adults are occasionally seen basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken. The adults feed on honeydew in the tree canopy and the larvae feed on oak buds. This butterfly is found across southern England and Wales, with scattered colonies further north
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Lycaenidae
- Genus
- Favonius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found around oak trees. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying in the tree canopy; however, the adults are occasionally seen basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken.
Seasonal Activity
Late June to early September
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The adults feed on honeydew in the tree canopy and the larvae feed on oak buds.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This butterfly is found across southern England and Wales, with scattered colonies further north
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Favonius quercus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Purple Hairstreak (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Purple Hairstreak
What is Purple Hairstreak?
Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Purple Hairstreak found?
Habitat: Found around oak trees. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying in the tree canopy; however, the adults are occasionally seen basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken.
When is Purple Hairstreak active?
Purple Hairstreak: seasonal activity - Late June to early September.
What is the life cycle of a Purple Hairstreak?
The adults feed on honeydew in the tree canopy and the larvae feed on oak buds.