Satyrium spini

Satyrium spini, the blue spot hairstreak, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.[1]

Blue spot hairstreak
Satyrium spini, underside
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Satyrium
Species:
S. spini
Binomial name
Satyrium spini
Synonyms
  • Papilio spini [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775
  • Papilio lynceus Esper, 1779
  • Nordmannia spini ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
  • Strymonidia spini ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Subspecies

Subspecies include:[1]

Distribution

The blue spot hairstreak lives in southern and middle Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Greece, Turkey) up to approximately 54° N. It is also found in Asia Minor, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, South Urals. It is not found in the northwest of France, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Estonia or Latvia. It is also not found in large parts of Italy and on most Mediterranean islands.[1][2] It inhabits open shrubby places, grassy areas, mountain meadows and woodland clearings, from low levels to about 2000 m.[3]

Description
Blue spot hairstreak

Satyrium spini has frontwings reaching 14–16 millimetres (0.55–0.63 in) in males, 15–17 millimetres (0.59–0.67 in) in females. The basic color of the upperside of the wings is brownish, while the underside is yellowish-beige. In the females the upperside of the hindwings usually shows brownish-orange spots on the edge. The underside of the hindwings has a large blue spot and a few orange black bordered spots. The underside of forewings and hindwinhs is crossed by a bright white transverse line. Hind wings have short tails.[3][4][5]

Mounted specimen. Female & male

Biology

It is a univoltine species.[6] Adults fly from late May to early August, depending on location.[7] Caterpillars feed on Rhamnus, Prunus, Frangula alnus, Frangula daurica, Sorbus and Malus.[1]

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References
  1. "Satyrium Scudder, 1876" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
  2. Fauna europaea
  3. Matt Rowlings Euro Butterflies
  4. Nature Guide
  5. Butterflies and Moths DK Pocket Nature
  6. First Nature
  7. Learn about Butterflies


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