Green hairstreak

Green hairstreak is a small butterfly of the gossamer-winged butterfly family. The colour of its wings is brown on the upper side and metallic sheen green on the underside. In Finland green hairstreak is one of the first butterflies flying in the spring. Caterpillar of this species is small and green with yellow marks on its back.

Green hairstreak thrives in many different environments like half-open coniferous forests, forest edges and peatlands. It demands a bright habitat. Green hairstreak occurs in Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor and Siberia.

The adults of green hairstreak feed on inflorescens of willows (Salix) and its caterpillars feed on several plants like bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), heather (Calluna vulgaris) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus).

As a least concern species green hairstreak requires no conservation measures to secure its occurrence.