www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Am I right in thinking that this is Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis),
and this is Sloe Hairstreak (Satyrium acaciae)?
Thanks,
Colin

I'd go ilicis for both. I can see why you veer towards acaciae for the second and am prepared to be overruled, but if it is acaciae it is very different from any I have seen.

Guy

I can see why you veer towards acaciae for the second and am prepared to be overruled

I await with interest the posting that "over-rules" Guy...

I'm strongly inclined to agree that both are ilicis but those marginal markings on the second image do indeed look very much like typical acaciae. Other features, such as the irregular line (and acaciae varies quite a lot here, but not this much), and the hindwing shape preclude acaciae for my money. I would expect the acaciae wing shape to be much more obviously rounded, and this is often evident from a distance.

Roger

I too have one I was struggling to decide between. At first, I thought it was ilicis but when viewing the maximised image plumped for acaciae:

I would say yours is classic acaciae, David.

Roger

Thanks Guy, Roger and David. I'll rename it ilicis.
--
Colin