Green Hairstreak
by
Shop
Callophrys rubi
Common & widespread on the heathlands around Britain.
The Caterpillars are green with yellow markings along the back.
Like other members of the family they are rather sluglike.
The larvae feeds on a wide range of plants, but main gorse species such as Broom.
The oversides of the wings are a uniform dull brown, with two paler patches on the male's forewings made up of scent scales.
The undersides are a bright green with a thin white line, often reduced to a faint row of dots or even missing altogether.
Flight period is from April-July.
They never rest with their wings open, to maintain their green camouflage.