David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
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Butterflies 9 – White-letter Hairstreaks
WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium
w-album
WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium
w-album
WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium
w-album
WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium
w-album
WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium
w-album
WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium
w-album
WHITE-LETTER
HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY Satyrium w-album
· The white ‘W’ alluded to in the scientific name of the inconspicuous and rather elusive White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly Satyrium w-album is a unique feature and it should therefore enable observers to unequivocally identify this species, one that is probably under-recorded throughout its range. In the UK most of the lives of these butterflies used to be spent high up in the tops of 30 metre tall mature Elm Ulmus spp. trees where sustenance could be obtained from aphid-produced honeydew, but given that trees of this stature are now something of a rarity in areas affected by Dutch Elm Disease Ophiostoma novo-ulmi the butterflies have now become dependent on regenerative sucker growth. In most cases English Elms Ulmus procera will now rarely grow to a height of more than 12-13 metres (40 feet) before succumbing to this Elm Bark Beetle-borne fungus but fortunately White-letter Hairstreaks are able to survive on smaller trees as when one sucker dies off there are usually other shorter healthy growths nearby providing a source of food for their larvae. Adults are known for the habit of occasionally descending to feed on nectar-sources late in the afternoon during the month of July and this habit is worth bearing in mind when attempting to locate them. This occupation can become time-consuming and, given the unpredictability of the event, often fruitless! When feeding the wings are always kept firmly shut, so the only opportunity to see their dark and featureless uppersides will be when the butterflies are in flight. In common with other hairstreaks the brighter markings on the underside of the hindwings are intended to divert any attempted bird-strikes away from their heads.
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