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Sexes appear similar.
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No other butterfly has a green metallic appearance.
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Proof that they are often found near chalk.
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Female in the act of laying.
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Information
| UK BAP status: | Not listed |
| Local status: | Uncommon.
Found in discrete colonies, primarily on the chalk and in Marston Vale.
Usually seen in small numbers, but dozens or more can sometimes be found.
Possibly under-recorded. |
| Size: | Small. |
| Larval foodplant: | Usually Common Bird's-foot-trefoil and Common Rock-rose. |
| No. of broods: | One.
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| Flight time(s): | Late April to early June.
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| Winter: | Pupa |
| Habits: | Spends much of the day perched on hawthorn. Can be found by gently pulling on a branch to shake the bush. The butterfly may then briefly fly.
As it never settles with wings open, it warms itself by tilting one underside to be at right-angles to the sun, then turns around to warm the other. |
| Habitats: | Likes areas of light hawthorn scrub on chalk downland and in the brick clay pits. |
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Distribution
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No. of Adults
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No. of 1km Squares
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No. of Records
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No. of Adults per record
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No. of adults per 10,000 records
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Percentage of all records
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