We went looking at the local P Hairstreak colony this evening hoping to get one or two down at low-level for photo's but as is typical of this species they were all watched as they fed on the uppermost leaves of the Oak / Ash. Only once did a couple come low down when they were 'spiralling' but they split up and headed straight up again.
I have read recently somewhere that there have been plenty of P Hairstreaks feeding low-level. I checked the site out a couple of evenings ago and saw three PH's flying up from behind a hedge, which when I went to check it out could only find a field with nothing of note that they could have been feeding on.
I know PH rely solely on the Oak but other food sources must be used occasionally.
Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
- markatbath
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purple hairstreak
hello
I was out yesterday evening looking for purple hairstreak and saw about 20 but they were all in the top of oaks.the only one I have seen this year low down was on a privet but I don't think it was feeding on it.any help on this subject would be great as I would like to photograph purple hairstreak this year if i can
regards
mark
I was out yesterday evening looking for purple hairstreak and saw about 20 but they were all in the top of oaks.the only one I have seen this year low down was on a privet but I don't think it was feeding on it.any help on this subject would be great as I would like to photograph purple hairstreak this year if i can
regards
mark
Re: Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
A bit late now (or early for the coming season) but I think that while PH usually feed on honeydew on oak I have occasionally seen them nectaring on a flowering sweet chestnut tree too.
- Padfield
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Re: Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
In late morning in hot weather they readily take minerals at damp ground:
Guy
Guy
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
Re: Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
I assume that brown hairstreak must take on mineral salts too, has anyone seen them do this?
- Padfield
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Re: Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
I've never seen it happen but my friend Tim Cowles has some pictures of a brown hairstreak taking minerals on his page here:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/felixthecat ... streak.htm
Guy
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/felixthecat ... streak.htm
Guy
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
- Roger Gibbons
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Re: Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
I was asking the same question:
http://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/html ... etulae.htm
A female? I've always rather assumed that only males took salts. Maybe females come down to take moisture, as I have seen seen what looked like a female Purple Emperor do this (I'm posting this on my site in the next few days - it was the one you thought was a male, Guy, which would explain it's behaviour). However, Tim's betulae does not appear to be doing anything, and neither did the one I saw. I'd being interested in any explanations.
http://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/html ... etulae.htm
A female? I've always rather assumed that only males took salts. Maybe females come down to take moisture, as I have seen seen what looked like a female Purple Emperor do this (I'm posting this on my site in the next few days - it was the one you thought was a male, Guy, which would explain it's behaviour). However, Tim's betulae does not appear to be doing anything, and neither did the one I saw. I'd being interested in any explanations.
Re: Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant
Cheers, both of you. That's very interesting. I have a plan for next year to lure the purple and brown hairstreaks down!