Hairstreak ? (White Letter ?)

[Paulcrook]

Anyone any idea on this one please. It (to me anyway) looks like the upper wings of a White-letter but I've no idea really. It was taken in August a couple of years ago.

Thanks

Paul

[Padfield]

I've never seen a white-letter hairstreak do this. Purple hairstreaks are August insects and do readily sit with their wings open. Once the wings are worn all the purple can disappear, as in this female (though I think yours is a male):



That was photographed in Suffolk in August.

Guy

[Paul Wetton]

I agree with Guy. The open wings and metallic green sheen to the body are very similar to some worn male Purple Hairstreaks I filmed over the last couple of years.