 Male underside. Taken at Bernwood Forest, Bucks, on July 4th 2019. (1/320th sec at f14. © David Hastings)  Female. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on July 28th 2013. (1/250th sec at f13. © David Hastings) Description Family: Theclinae Wing span: 32 - 39 mm The Purple Hairstreak is the commonest British hairstreak. It has silvery-grey under surfaces, with a dark-edged streak on both wings. The hindwing has a black-centered orange spot near the slender tail. Unlike other hairstreaks it will expose its upper surfaces when settled. It is commonest in the southern half of England and Wales. It has expanded its range further north in recent years. Its preferred habitat is woodland where there are large numbers of oaks. Adults emerge in July and may be seen into September, with a peak at the end of July and early August. There is one brood each year. The ovum is the overwintering stage. Larval foodplants are Sessile Oak, English Oak, Turkey Oak and Holm Oak. Adults feed primarily on aphid honeydew. Purple Hairstreaks spend much of their lives in the canopy of trees, mainly Oaks, but also Ash and Sycamore. They will come down to ground level to obtain fluids. Least Concern Sightings | 25-Jul-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Jul-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Jul-2023 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (2) |
| | 09-Aug-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Jul-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 04-Jul-2022 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (1) | | 01-Jul-2022 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (1) |
| | 23-Aug-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 16-Aug-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Aug-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 22-Jul-2021 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (6) | | 14-Jul-2021 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (7) | | 14-Jul-2021 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jul-2021 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (1) |
| | 08-Aug-2020 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Jul-2020 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Jul-2020 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (5) | | 02-Jul-2020 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (2) | | 22-Jun-2020 | : | Waterperry Wood, Oxon | (2) |
| | 12-Aug-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 08-Aug-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (8) | | 08-Aug-2019 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Jul-2019 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (10+) | | 22-Jul-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (19) | | 16-Jul-2019 | : | Bucknell Wood, Northants | (6) | | 12-Jul-2019 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (4) | | 12-Jul-2019 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (5) | | 08-Jul-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (16) | | 08-Jul-2019 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (3) | | 08-Jul-2019 | : | Bernwood Meadows, Bucks | (1) | | 04-Jul-2019 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (3) | | 03-Jul-2019 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (3) |
| | 06-Aug-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 31-Jul-2018 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (7) | | 14-Jul-2018 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 12-Jul-2018 | : | Parsonage Moor, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jul-2018 | : | Cothill Fen, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Jul-2018 | : | Fence Wood, Berks | (3) | | 09-Jul-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (12+) | | 08-Jul-2018 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) | | 07-Jul-2018 | : | Besselsleigh Wood, Oxon | (3) | | 04-Jul-2018 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Jul-2018 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (11+) | | 01-Jul-2018 | : | Silchester Common, Hants | (4) |
| | 16-Aug-2017 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (2) | | 15-Aug-2017 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jul-2017 | : | Silchester Common, Hants | (3) | | 01-Jul-2017 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (6) | | 01-Jul-2017 | : | Waterperry Wood, Oxon | (10+) |
| | 14-Aug-2016 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (6+) |
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