Ilex Hairstreak - Satyrium
ilicis
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June 2006, Switzerland
June 2006, Switzerland
June 2006, Switzerland
Female - Val d'Aran, July 1998
Val d'Aran, July 1999
The Ilex hairstreak is very similar to the false ilex hairstreak. Generally,
the female has an orange flush on the upperside of the forewing, but so do
some false ilexes. According to the books, you must look carefully at the
marginal and submarginal markings on the underside of the hindwing. In the
ilex hairstreak, especially the female, the orange spots are branded internally and externally
with black. They don't mention, but they usually show in the pictures, a
further internal pale edge to the black. In addition, the marginal white
line is generally more or less complete. All these features are visible in
these pictures, taken in Switzerland and Spain.