Black Hairstreak
Satyrium pruniBlack Hairstreak is one of Britain’s most elusive butterflies, spending much of its life hidden high in the trees. Easily confused with similar hairstreak species, it requires a keen eye to identify. This home-loving butterfly rarely strays far, sticking to small woodland colonies in central and eastern England, and is most active around midday rather than early morning.
Home-loving heroes
So elusive is the Black Hairstreak butterfly that you might have better luck trying to find their eggs. These are tiny but bright white and stand out against the Blackthorn stems they’re usually laid upon.
When you do spot the adult, it is a very pretty butterfly with striped legs and antennae, two little tails, and a beautiful edging of orange along the underwings.
Even then, it’s difficult to be sure that you’ve really seen one. These butterflies are not only elusive, but easily confused with the White-letter Hairstreak, which flies at the same time of year.
As caterpillars, they feed on the Blackthorn they hatch on, but Black Hairstreak adults tend to feed on honeydew from aphids.
A bit of a homebod, this is a butterfly that doesn’t like to venture too far, with colonies often isolating themselves to a single spot within a woodland. They’re really not morning insects either – they do most of their flying at around midday.
If you’re very lucky, you can find them in the woodlands of central and eastern England.
Vibes
Each butterfly is scored out of 100 across a set of traits, from how bold and visible it is to how far it travels or how particular it is about where it lives. These scores compare each species with the other butterflies in Britain, helping you see their differences at a glance. Here’s what makes the Black Hairstreak special.
Bright colours, bold patterns, and a love of the spotlight. Some butterflies just can’t help showing off.
Fast, or throwing some seriously impressive moves, these butterflies are in a flutter.
Always on guard, ready to hide or defend - these butterflies have self-preservation down to an art.
It’s ok to be a little… well, weird. These butterflies have been certified with the freak factor.
Like Goldilocks, everything has to be just right for these perfectionists.
Hard to spot and even harder to forget, these butterflies are a true one of a kind.
Bold, curious, and ready to explore, these brave butterflies live for the thrill and aren’t afraid to travel.
Weather-resistant, battle-hardened, and built to survive, these butterflies know how to take it on the wing.
Rare and hard to spot, Black Hairstreaks spend most of their lives high in treetops, far from view.
Test your knowledge
Why is the Black Hairstreak so difficult to spot?The Black Hairstreak spends most of its time high in tree canopies, making sightings of the adult butterfly quite rare.
Does the Black Hairstreak get your vote?