White Letter Hairstreak?

[robevans]

Hi,
First time poster!
Think i had a couple of white letter hairstreak on my lunchtime walk today, everything about them looks right. Can somebody please confirm?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12254625@N07/4809331363/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12254625@N07/4809332831/
(sorry for links, upload doesnt seem to work)

Thanks,

Rob

[Padfield]

Spot on! Two female white letter hairstreaks (long tails, fat body visible in the second picture and no visible mark on the underside where the sex brand would be on the upperside).

I hope they're the first of many offerings.

Guy

[robevans]

Thanks Padfield for the response - I'm pretty sure it's the first time I have ever seen them!

Cheers,

Rob

[David M]

Where did you see these, Rob?

[Pete Eeles]

Where did you see these, Rob?

Strange as it may sound - I'm able to answer the question since I had the good fortune of meeting Rob at the very same spot today, where we found around a dozen separate individuals nectaring on the Creeping Thistle. I'll post some photos in my personal diary shortly.

The site itself is near Basingstoke. This species is particularly scarce in Hampshire so not sure if providing details is a good idea - will check with the Hants BC butterfly recorder.

Cheers,

- Pete

[David M]

Fear not, Pete, I shan't be going to Hampshire to see them - I'm determined to find them closer to home. Very determined.