Purple hairstreak

Neozephyrus quercus quercus

A hairstreak with a wingspan of 31-38 mm, distinctively blackish-brown with shiny purple patches, more pronounced in males. The purple lives mainly where its host plant can be found, in oak scrub and woodland. The host plant associated with this species is the Turkey oak (Quercus cerris). This butterfly flies from late June through early September, flight is low and active. It relies on honeydew left by aphids on oak leaves instead of flower nectar like other butterflies.

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