Home / Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae) / Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Green Hairstreaks are small-sized, European butterflies, known for their reverse wing coloration, i.e., a colorful backside and a dull inside, unlike most other butterfly species. Because of their green coloration it is indeed difficult for watchers to locate them in the woods. The Green Hairstreak is found in four regional subspecies.

Scientific Classification

Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Callophrys
Scientific Name: Callophrys rubi

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The caterpillars are green in color, having yellow marks across their backs. Like most other members of their family, the larvae are rather slug-like. They hatch out after about a week the eggs are laid. By the end of July they descend to the ground to transform into pupae. After their first moult, the caterpillars are cannibalistic.

Pupa

These creatures pupate in the leaf litter. The chrysalis is dark brown or light beige, depending upon the environment the subspecies live in. They emit as a butterfly in summer/spring, after hibernating all winter.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Vaguely present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are open, the dorsal side displays a uniform dull brown coloration, with the males having two paler patches on the forewings that the females lack. When the wings are closed, they are bright iridescent green with thin white lines on both sides that are often lessened to a vague row of dots, or missing completely.

Average wingspan: 26–30 millimeters (1.0–1.2 in)

Flight pattern: Moderate and haphazard

Eggs

Green in color, laid singly on the buds or young shoots of host plants

Quick Facts
Distribution	Widely spread in Scotland and Wales; also found in Ireland, throughout Europe, and some parts of North Africa up to Asia and reaching further to Siberia
Habitat	Subspecies are found in a wide range of habitats like chalk downland, heathland, moorland and clearings in woodland, it is present in wetlands, as also, on poor dry meadows
Host plants	Prefers Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Dyer’s Greenweed (Genista tinctoria), and Gorse (Ulex europeaus)
Adult diet	Flower nectar