Hi everyone, I was wondering when people expect Black Hairstreaks to be flying this year? I will be travelling through Bucks on June 16th - are they likely to be around by then? I know there were plenty out at that time last year but last year we had that exceptionally warm spring.
Thanks
John
Black Hairstreak
Re: Black Hairstreak
Last year, Black Hairstreaks hit their stride in early June (due, no doubt, to the very hot early-mid spring we enjoyed). Normally, mid June is the time one can expect this species to emerge, so I would say that 16th June is probably a good time to go looking for them (assuming we don't drift back into a weather pattern that continually throws up rain and 13c temperatures).
Re: Black Hairstreak
In Cambs, it is usually the first week of June that sees first emergences; anything between the last week of May and the second week of June seems possible, depending on the weather. It is such a short flight period to catch them looking good.....
N
PS None reported here, yet.....
N
PS None reported here, yet.....
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."
- Padfield
- Administrator
- Posts: 8216
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:19 pm
- Location: Leysin, Switzerland
- Contact:
Re: Black Hairstreak
Tim Cowles saw his first of the year near Lyons on 29th May. Today, males were numerous near Geneva but I saw no females (unless the one below is a female - I'm not sure now). The season in Europe has begun and it will be coming to a UK wood near you very soon...
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2012/pruni1203.jpg)
Guy
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://www.guypadfield.com/images2012/pruni1203.jpg)
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: Black Hairstreak
Nice shot. I too, Guy, am never 100% sure of the male/female, especially if I don't see the abdomen clearly (and, as you will attest, even then I am known to be wrong
)
Tolman and Lewington suggest to me, in layman's terms, that the female has slightly more rounded fore-wings, with more orange and less black expressed on the underside of these fore-wings, than the male. Thomas and Lewington also suggest that the the female is a more chestnut brown than the slightly darker brown of the male.
One I took last year; from the shape of the abdomen, I would say female....? How about this one, Guy? And here is one from 2 years ago that has two lovely sets of tails.... Soon for 2012 indeed![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Tolman and Lewington suggest to me, in layman's terms, that the female has slightly more rounded fore-wings, with more orange and less black expressed on the underside of these fore-wings, than the male. Thomas and Lewington also suggest that the the female is a more chestnut brown than the slightly darker brown of the male.
One I took last year; from the shape of the abdomen, I would say female....? How about this one, Guy? And here is one from 2 years ago that has two lovely sets of tails.... Soon for 2012 indeed
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."
- Padfield
- Administrator
- Posts: 8216
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:19 pm
- Location: Leysin, Switzerland
- Contact:
Re: Black Hairstreak
Your first one clearly shows the oval male sex brand in relief under the forewing, so I go for male for that... And the second one is definitely a female. Is the absence of a visible sex brand (when the view is good enough) sufficient to diagnose female?
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: Black Hairstreak
Your eye for detail is amazing, Guy.
I'd never have noticed that difference between the two butterflies, but now that you've highlighted it, when I revisit the images it's obvious.
I'd never have noticed that difference between the two butterflies, but now that you've highlighted it, when I revisit the images it's obvious.
Re: Black Hairstreak
Thanks for being so gentle on my poor ID skills......that sex brand is so evident now I look at it!padfield wrote:Your first one clearly shows the oval male sex brand in relief under the forewing, so I go for male for that...
Guy
Usual BH weather over here....it generally seems to be damp and dull about their emergence time....
N
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."
Re: Black Hairstreak
Just wondered if anyone has seen any Black Hairstreaks this year yet? I could make a trip to Bucks on Friday but the weather forecast is no good, and I'm not sure if they're out yet anyway
Cheers
John
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Cheers
John
Re: Black Hairstreak
None yet - went out today looking....
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."