Black Hairstreak Satyrium pruni

Habitat

The Black Hairstreak is a very localised butterfly occurring in only a small number of colonies across the south and east Midlands generally, and is recorded at only one site in Leicestershire within the three counties which make up the East Midlands Region of Butterfly Conservation. It favours dense stands of mature Blackthorn in sheltered, sunny locations along woodland edges. In common with other hairstreaks it spends much of its time high in the canopy of large trees, but will come down to nectar on bramble flowers and Wild Privet.

Identification

Both sexes are similar, and can be easily confused with the White-letter Hairstreak. The main distinguishing feature is the row of black and white tapering spots above the orange band on the underside of the hindwings, and the white 'W' is less pronounced.

Flight times

The flight period is very short between mid-June and early July.


Distribution Maps

2005-09
Black Hairstreak distribution map 2005-09
2010-14
Black Hairstreak distribution map 2010-14
2015-19
Black Hairstreak distribution map 2015-19
2015
Black Hairstreak distribution map 2015
2015 Summary
No of tetrads 1
First sighting 20/06/2015
Last sighting 20/06/2015
2016

Not recorded

2017

Not recorded

2018

Black Hairstreak distribution map 2018

2018 Summary
No of tetrads 1
First sighting 12/06/2018
Last sighting 17/06/2018
2019

Black Hairstreak distribution map 2019

2019 Summary
No of tetrads 1
First sighting 17/06/2019
Last sighting 20/06/2019
2020

Black Hairstreak distribution map 2020

2020 Summary
No of tetrads 1
First sighting 02/06/2020
Last sighting 02/06/2020
2021

Not recorded

2022

Not recorded


Photo Gallery


Similar or Easily Confused Species and ID Hints

White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album

The main distinguishing feature is the row of black and white tapering spots above the orange band on the underside of the hindwings, and the white 'W' is less pronounced.

White-letter Hairstreak
White-letter Hairstreak - © Simon Jenkins