Black Hairstreak

[John W]

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

[David M]

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).

[NickB]

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.....

[Padfield]

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...



Guy

[NickB]

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

[Padfield]

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

[David M]

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.

[NickB]

Your first one clearly shows the oval male sex brand in relief under the forewing, so I go for male for that...
Guy

Thanks for being so gentle on my poor ID skills......that sex brand is so evident now I look at it!
Usual BH weather over here....it generally seems to be damp and dull about their emergence time....
N

[John W]

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

[NickB]

None yet - went out today looking....