Introducing Hairstreaks of Europe with five species: Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini, Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae, Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi, Sloe Hairstreak, Satyrium acaciae, White Letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album with short desciption and imagers. Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Blue-spot Hairstreak, Satyrium spini/ UK Butterflies
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=spini#.U6XWd
eaAKSE
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

6. 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

7. Brown Hairsteak, Thecla betulae/ UK Butterflies
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=bet
ulae#.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/TheclaBet
ul.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%20bet
ulae.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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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%20
acaciae.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/SatyrAcac
i.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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Know Your Hairstreaks
Mary C Legg © 2014
pogomcl@live.com
@pogomcl