Gerhard’s black hairstreak

Satyrium abdominalis persica

A hairstreak with a wingspan of 28-38 mm, resembles the blue-spot but smaller. Also called the “Persian hairstreak,” this species lives mainly in the eastern part of Lebanon, in scrub, woodland, and on dry stony slopes. Host plants include the almond tree (Prunus amygdalus) and the oleaster (Elaeagnus spp.). This butterfly flies in the months of June and July.