White Letter Hairstreak

Satyrium w-album

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Switzerland, July 2009

Switzerland, August 2008

Switzerland, August 2008



Larva beneath wych elm leaf, Switzerland, May 2010



The same larva



Larva beneath wych elm leaf, Switzerland, May 2010



The same larva.



A caterpillar preparing to pupate, Switzerland, June 2010

Spain, July 2005

In the UK I nearly always see white letter hairstreaks on bramble but in the Val d'Aran they were particularly attracted to flat, white flower clusters like these.

Spain, July 2005

Spain, July 2005

This one had been hit by a car but was still alive...

...so I tried to revive it by putting it on a nectar source.

Spain, July 2005

Spain, July 2005

This hairstreak is widespread and common, but also local and easily overlooked. I have found it in many places in southern England, as well as in Norway (near Oslo), France, Hungary, Spain and Switzerland. For me it has the distinction of being the first hairstreak I ever saw, when I was a child in England, and thus represents the whole group. It is easily identified, being boldly marked with a strong white 'W' on the hindwing. Its habitat is woodland and woodland edges, where it feeds readily on nectar sources.