www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

i'm interested in trying to rear some green hairstreak to help bolster a very small population on a reserve that i'm involved in managing. does anyone have any hints and tips? anything from where possibly to get them (pupae would be preferable) and best ways to rear them. many thanks for any help

Hi Rob,

Is captive breeding necessarily going to be the answer? Many tiny butterfly populations are that way because there is a very limited supply of suitable foodplant for complete development - often the foodplant itself may be common on the site but there may be few plants at the correct growth stage or with the correct level of shelter. I'm not aware of the specific requirements for Green Hairstreak but this is often the case with Dingy and Grizzled Skipper which I often find on the same sites.

But would it hurt to try the captive breeding? Evidence please.