Purple Hairstreak

Quercusia quercus

Stiallach Corcra [IRL]

Thécla du chêne [F]

Eichenzipfenfalter [D]

$Distribution Map (dark areas indicate presence) and Flight Times of this species - \nNB See General Information page for accuracy information$

photo

Oak woodlands.

Uncommon. Restricted to a few woods in Ireland.

Oak.

37-39mm (1.46 inches)
[Small Tortoiseshell 50mm]

This is a rare species, restricted to a few oak woodlands in Ireland.
Like the Brown Hairstreak it too is difficult to see as it spends most of its time high in the oak tree-tops.
It has dark brown wings with only the male having a patch of purple. The underside is a pale grey/brown.