Purple Hairstreaks any prefered foodplant

[tuftyhill]

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.

[markatbath]

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

[Susie]

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]

In late morning in hot weather they readily take minerals at damp ground:



Guy

[Susie]

I assume that brown hairstreak must take on mineral salts too, has anyone seen them do this?

[Padfield]

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

[Roger Gibbons]

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.

[Susie]

Cheers, both of you. That's very interesting. I have a plan for next year to lure the purple and brown hairstreaks down!